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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of correct are accurate, exact, nice, precise, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

When could accurate be used to replace correct?

The synonyms accurate and correct are sometimes interchangeable, but accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When can exact be used instead of correct?

The words exact and correct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

Where would nice be a reasonable alternative to correct?

While in some cases nearly identical to correct, nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

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

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

How are the words right and correct related?

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 correct
Adjective
In fact, Short had called McCartney, one of the many stars who appeared to toast the show's 50th birthday, by the correct name. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Bass alleges that after an Illinois appellate court ruled March 10 that his name could appear on the Rich Township ballot, Al-Amin refused to certify the new ballot, preventing correct ballots from being delivered in time for early voting that began Monday. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
This is a company that after several years of underperformance has finally corrected its issues, but which the Street is not yet ready to trust. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025 This story was updated to add new information and correct an error. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for correct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for correct
Adjective
  • Disaster-prone California has regulations that try to help ensure replacement values are accurate.
    Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The United States should immediately resume sharing influenza data with WHO’s databases, providing the most accurate picture of circulating strains.
    Richard Hughes IV, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The roundup includes proper studio full-lengths, live recordings, and greatest hits compilations.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Bulbs that aren't provided with the proper conditions are unlikely to produce flowers.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Photo : Noel Kleinman/The Oppenheim Group The formal dining room.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025
  • This could range from formal presentations to informal conversations, emails or even social media within the company, depending on your audience and the nature of your message.
    Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, California State Senate Republicans are pushing to amend sanctuary laws that the Trump administration believes are obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Prohibits the General Assembly from amending or repealing constitutional amendments approved by voters.
    Worth Sparkman, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For those who don’t know, the Social Security Fairness Act repealed the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset that reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for people who received pensions from jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security.
    Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Such partnerships can also help offset the production costs of videos.
    thehustle.co, thehustle.co, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Counties with Republican executives were punished by receiving no vaccination site for months.
    Ryan Silverstein, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • European leaders view the EU as an alliance focused on preventing wars after World War II, not punishing the United States, as Trump suggests.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • So Far Yet, despite being the ideal role-playing game — one that should (theoretically) be easy enough to replicate — there’s never been a true sequel, spiritual successor, or flat-out copy that can live up to the standard.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The >>Film Forward Competition Golden Alexander was bestowed to the documentary: Endless Cookie by Seth Scriver & Peter Scriver Reasoning: Golden Alexander Award goes to a film that is a true labor of love.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite their polite and understated personalities, the Japanese can’t dim their enthusiasm for baseball’s brightest star.
    Jay Paris, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This said, the movers were very polite and respectful and removed all of the excess packing.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correct. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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