EXACTING Synonyms: 298 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'exacting' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome , onerous , and oppressive . While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding. // an exacting employer

Q: When would 'burdensome' be a good substitute for 'exacting'?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain. // burdensome responsibilities

Q: Where would 'onerous' be a reasonable alternative to 'exacting'?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful. // the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

Q: When could 'oppressive' be used to replace 'exacting'?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed. // the oppressive tyranny of a police state

exacting 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzak-tiŋ

Definition of exacting

as in careful

hard to please he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rigorous

not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards the prep school's exacting standards for admission

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort the new recruits had to adjust themselves to the exacting discipline of military life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention writing will always be an exacting task

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exact

as in demanding

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority every war inevitably exacts the greatest sacrifice possible from some of the nation's best and brightest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imposing

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty vowed to exact a heavy fine from any hockey player engaging in such outrageous behavior on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in extorting

to get (as money) by the use of force or threats that loan shark can be counted upon to exact repayment of his loan by whatever means necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective exacting contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When would burdensome be a good substitute for exacting?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to exacting?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace exacting?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exacting

Adjective

Alex Ross dives into the œuvre of a thinker whose work was omnivorous, exacting, and hopeful. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 18 June 2026 But the goods are here, and Mysius is an exacting, exhilarating filmmaker who is more than ready to be leveled up. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026

Verb

Charles Jencks, the late American cultural theorist and a famously exacting critic, saw in its flowing forms both sensuality and an important new direction for architecture. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The woes at the plate became a recipe for postseason disaster, with the Padres exacting revenge for the Cubs’ 2-1 series win last year at Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exacting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting

Adjective

And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Like SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, many founders in tech have moonshot performance pay packages, in which rigorous stock price growth is tied to massive pay hurdles.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Every travel story is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel products.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

Jarman, who came in as the defending champion on the event, put together a more difficult routine but was nicked by judges for his execution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
This is the last remaining game on the schedule that should be very difficult.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Such calculations are part of a wider effort to understand why molecular simulations remain challenging.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
But the shift in college athletics has required an internal reconciling that is even more challenging than the external education.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Verb

Upon entering, an imposing chandelier is a focal point and above it, the original ceiling has been carefully preserved.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Infused with an injection of classic Osbourne glamour, the creamy stucco and terracotta-roof structure is tucked behind imposing security gates on just over half an acre.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of imposing

Verb

Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
He was accused of extorting private contractors for bribes between 2018 and 2021 in exchange for helping the companies keep and obtain work on school construction contracts.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of extorting

Adjective

Unlike Adler Dolomiti, Adler Balance is adults-only and has a particular focus on wellness.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
All of that aligns the series with a particular strain of reality show in which participants are expected to follow certain patterns of behavior that can be neatly edited into episodic arcs.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of particular

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exacting

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Style

“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of exacting

adjective

verb

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