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 next

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

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as in difficult

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

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as in challenging

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exacting

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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

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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

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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

Examples 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

A lot of great cinema is made by happy accidents: certain intangible chemistries and tricks of timing that can’t be calculated even by the most exacting auteur. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 July 2024 But the technology used to extract and identify DNA has become more exacting in 20 years. —

Dennis Romero, NBC News, 20 June 2024

Verb

Once more layering the frame with oxidized textures redolent of water damage and mirror rot, his exacting compositions suggest a pained present becoming shameful history before the very eyes of its participants. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024 Toxic productivity—the constant drive to expand, grow and improve at all costs—is exacting an immeasurable toll. —

Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exacting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting

Adjective

Identifying ground zero for the advent of Dengue Fever can be tricky, but careful research has identified Aquarius Records in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District as the primary origin of the infectiously melodic band.

Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
Going slowly and applying heat with a hair dryer can help reduce the risk of damage, but the difficulty of this process is a solid reason to be careful with your installation.

Simon Hill, WIRED, 27 Dec. 2024