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as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent gave him the precise amount that he owed him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word precise different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of precise are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

When would accurate be a good substitute for precise?

The words accurate and precise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

In what contexts can correct take the place of precise?

Although the words correct and precise have much in common, correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When is it sensible to use exact instead of precise?

In some situations, the words exact and precise are roughly equivalent. However, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

When could nice be used to replace precise?

The synonyms nice and precise are sometimes interchangeable, but nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

How do right and correct relate to one another, in the sense of precise?

Right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

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 precise Ron explains that the setup allows for precise transmission loss testing, with up to 160dB of variation between rooms, thus enabling accurate measurements across the full 25Hz to 10kHz range without adjustments. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2025 The precise extent of the cancellations and the specific products affected remain unclear. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025 It's equipped with advanced lidar and stereo vision sensors for precise environmental awareness. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025 This precise resource allocation reduces compute usage, cooling requirements and costs—all without sacrificing business outcomes. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • But the ability to navigate this uncertainty depends on high-quality, accurate data—particularly supplier master data—which is easier said than done.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Garland handed the character work of directing to Mendoza to honor the project’s one abiding rule: sticking without exception to an utterly accurate recounting.
    Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • By default, the projector will switch to the correct mode for input tagged as Filmmaker or IMAX, and adjust other settings to match.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it, the exact cause of the disease is still not known, although a small group of cases are inherited.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Since researchers identified the exact location of the roots in 2020, the couple that owns 48 Rue Daubigny have been embroiled in a five-year legal struggle with the mayor of Auvers-sur-Oise, who wants to turn the site public.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis hailed as 'true advocate for peace' In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to set foot on the peninsula where Islam was born.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Walker will likely need time to develop in the right system, and the Raiders should wait until later to take a true off-ball linebacker.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The models are also trained to follow instructions more literally, which requires careful and specific prompting but allows for greater control over the output.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • But the president and his economic advisers stressed over the weekend that any reprieve would be temporary, with specific tariffs to be imposed on goods put under a new national security classification.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Building Effective Objective Functions Creating useful objective functions requires combining business expertise with mathematical rigor.
    Pieter Van Schalkwyk, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Vancouver was cruising toward near-certain mathematical elimination and trailing the Dallas Stars 3-0 to open the third period.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • By advocating for proper funding, schools will be able to take innovative approaches to increasing literacy rates, as well as seeing gains in math.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Just cut the tubing to the proper length and wrap it around the cables.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Throw in two kids and a wife to care for, there’s undeniably a lot going on, but in a way that Kota says keeps him focused and motivated on creating authentic music and an authentic life.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This purity translates to a cleaner taste and a more authentic representation of the strain’s flavor profile.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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