exact

Formsexacts, exacting, exacted

1. 1
   adjective

   Completely correct and matching something perfectly, with no mistakes or differences.

   Like a key that fits a lock perfectly: not even a little bit off.

   I need the exact number of people coming to dinner.

   She handed the driver the exact change for the fare.

   Similarprecise, accurate, correct, specific

   Oppositeapproximate, rough, inexact, imprecise

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Always careful to follow rules, keep promises, and do things correctly and on time.

   Like a person who always does just what they promised and is never late.

   My grandfather was an exact man who paid every bill the day it arrived.

   She is very exact about keeping her promises.

   Similarmeticulous, precise, scrupulous, punctilious, careful

   Oppositecareless, sloppy, slapdash

   Note
3. 3
   adjective

   Stated in a clear, strict way, with no room for doubt.

   Like drawing a clear, sharp line instead of a fuzzy one.

   The teacher gave us the exact meaning of the word.

   We need an exact definition before we begin the test.

   Similarprecise, strict, explicit, specific, rigorous

   Oppositevague, imprecise, loose, ambiguous

4. 4
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To force someone to pay or do something, sometimes in a harsh way.

   Like someone who forces you to pay before you can pass.

   The king would exact heavy taxes from the poorest villages.

   They exact a fee from everyone who uses the bridge.

   Similarextract, extort, demand, levy, collect

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To make something needed or call for it.

   Like a hard task that calls for a lot of effort.

   This job will exact a lot of patience from you.

   A long trip can exact careful planning.

   Similardemand, require, necessitate

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To cause harm, loss, or suffering to fall on someone or something.

   Like an illness that slowly takes away your strength.

   The long war exacted a terrible cost on the country.

   Constant stress can exact a heavy toll on your health.

   Similarinflict, take, impose, wreak

   Note
7. 7
   adverb

   In a way that matches something perfectly, with nothing changed.

   Copy the picture exact, every single line.

   He measured each board exact before cutting.

   Similarprecisely, accurately, perfectly

   Oppositeapproximately, roughly

   Note
8. 8
   adjective

   Said of a chain of math maps where each map's output is exactly what the next one sends to zero.

   The teacher drew an exact sequence on the board.

   The first chapter of the algebra book explains why a short exact sequence is so useful.

   Note
9. 9
   adjective

   In higher math, describing a function between objects that keeps short exact sequences unchanged.

   Like a machine that takes a perfect line in and gives a perfect line out.

   The professor showed that the functor was exact.

   An exact functor keeps the whole sequence intact.

   Note

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