exact

comparative exacter · comparative more exact · superlative exactest · superlative most exact

1. Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect.

   exact accounts

   3 more examples

   The clock keeps exact time.

   He paid the exact debt.

   an exact copy of a letter

   Synonyms: perfect, true, correct, precise

2. Habitually careful to agree with a standard, a rule, or a promise; accurate; methodical; punctual.

   In my doings I was exact.

   3 more examples

   a man exact in observing an appointment

   I see thou art exact of taste.

   1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…]

   1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond

3. Precisely or definitely conceived or stated; strict.

   An exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reason.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]

   Synonyms: strict

4. not comparablehomological algebraSuch that the kernel of each morphism is the image of the preceding one.
5. not comparablehomological algebraSuch that it preserves short exact sequences.

present singular third person exacts · participle present exacting · participle past exacted · past exacted

1. ambitransitiveTo demand and enforce the payment or performance of, sometimes in a forcible or imperious way.

   to exact tribute, fees, or obedience from someone

   4 more examples

   He said into them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 3:13

   Their goal is retributive: to exact a price from Palestinian civilians (and in some cases left-wing Israeli Jews, Christians, and Israeli security forces) for actions Israeli authorities take against the settlers, usually building enforcement in illegally built settlements.

   2018, Edo Konrad, “Living in the constant shadow of settler violence”, in +972 Magazine

   She was a superb judge who gave her best and exacted the best from each of us, whether in agreement or disagreement.

   2020 September 19, statement of Clarence Thomas on the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburghttps://www.scotusblog.com/2020/09/statements-from-supreme-court-justices-on-the-death-of-justice-ginsburg/

   […] a generic, strikingly universal, deity, “ha-elohim,” who tests, who exacts and extracts, and who is the object of fear […]

   2020, Kristine Henriksen Garroway, John W. Martens, Children and Methods, page 139

2. transitiveTo make desirable or necessary.

   I vvait, Madam, / To knovv vvhat your commands are; my deſignes / Exact me in another place.

   c. 1621–1623 (date written), Philip Massinger, The Maid of Honour. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot, […], published 1632, →OCLC, Act IIII, scene iv, signature I, verso

3. transitiveTo inflict; to forcibly obtain or produce; to visit.

   to exact revenge on someone

comparative more exact · superlative most exact

1. exactly

   She's wearing the exact same sweater as I am!

   Synonyms: just, precisely, accurately