exactly

adverb

ig-ˈzak-(t)lē How to pronounce exactly (audio)
Definition of exactlynext
1
as in just
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference we will meet at exactly six o'clock

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2
as in precisely
in the same manner he wants to be exactly like his father

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in directly
in the same words a plagiarism suit alleging that one historian had copied large segments of another's text exactly

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4
as in strictly
without any relaxation of standards or precision follow the rules exactly and you won't get into trouble

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in quite
to a full extent or degree she listened to the advice, then did exactly what she wanted to anyway

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6
as in yes
used to express agreement "Are you calling me a liar?" "Exactly."

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exactly The hottest topics waffle between Nick Sirianni’s job security and the treatment of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, none exactly harbingers of good news. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Here’s exactly how to handle this maddening situation—including when and how best to speak up. — Angela Haupt, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 So what exactly went wrong with a program originally designed to help children escape struggling public schools? — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 That's exactly what a famous math formula called the Drake Equation tries to answer. — Hannah Chinn, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exactly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exactly
  1. just
  2. precisely
  3. directly
  4. strictly
  5. quite
  6. yes
  7. right
  8. perfectly
Adverb
  • Completing the flight test just weeks after a captive-carry event demonstrated how quickly the program progressed through its testing sequence.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The mattress was ready to sleep on just a few hours after unpacking.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of just
Adverb
  • Atari says the cartridge slot supports most original cartridges, which leaves some uncertainty about precisely what's going to work.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
  • What emerged was a model of bookselling both knowledgeable and precisely retail-focussed.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of precisely
Adverb
  • He was stretchered off, his body immobilized against a backboard, and he was taken directly to Grady Memorial Hospital.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The new technology instead places the diamond directly inside a laser cavity.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of directly
Adverb
  • Turkey has ruled out sending troops into Yemen to attack the Houthis, while Pakistan says its role would be strictly defensive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This provision is uncommon as many existing down payment assistance programs don’t strictly limit the type of home someone can buy — only the sale price.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of strictly
Adverb
  • But now, as everything online morphs into algorithmic social media, the case for concern has crystallized into something quite specific.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Few sports have embraced the pursuit of new audiences quite like F1, the motorsport league acquired by Liberty Media nearly a decade ago.
    — Sam Jacobs, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Sports account for a major portion of the volume generated by the array of typically yes-or-no question, depending on the platform.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In August, independent financial economist Lauris Zminsky launched his app Blanket in partnership with Kalshi, an AI engine that can suggest specific yes-or-no markets on the platform that could offset a risk for a specific business.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of yes
Adverb
  • And yesterday is one of those days when your family ain’t acting right.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • And the need to blend all the sound together right before the ear canal can make the more complex instrumentation sound more sloppy than precise.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of right
Adverb
  • Smith-Njigba positioned his body perfectly for the catch at the goal line.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Pembrolizumab perfectly complements this bounty hunter approach.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfectly

Browse Nearby Words

exactitude
exactly
exactness
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Cite this Entry

“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exactly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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