1
as in careful
hard to please
he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rigorous
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
the prep school's exacting standards for admission
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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4
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
writing will always be an exacting task
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exacting
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
The painter’s attempts to capture reality — so exacting, so careful, so prepared — end in what looks like failure.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024
Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Each gemstone was set by hand in an exacting process by Bixler’s craftsmen.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for exacting
Adjective
By his fourth season, the team had a losing record and players were complaining that Bradley was too exacting.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
The painter’s attempts to capture reality — so exacting, so careful, so prepared — end in what looks like failure.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024
Verb
The settlement was a result of a long-running antitrust case in which the two credit card network giants allegedly overcharged merchants by exacting excessive interchange fees, also called swipe fees.
—Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Each gemstone was set by hand in an exacting process by Bixler’s craftsmen.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for exacting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
My 23-year-old BMW received the same careful attention as my brand new premium cars, and the PURE PPF now provides it with those same protective, anti-aging benefits. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.—
Karl Brauer,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s the cost of such rigorous theming: Since you’re supposed to be inside a game, anything that gets in the way of that illusion is banned.—
Todd Anderson,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
-
To receive autism certification through Autism Double Checked, staff at participating properties go through rigorous training on how to best support their autistic guests, such as how to adapt a menu for a picky eater and how to avoid strongly scented cleaning products.—
Jamie Davis Smith,
AFAR Media,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And the small launch business has proven to be economically challenging.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Assessing type A skills of collaboration solely from resumes can be challenging.—
Ming-Chien Chyu,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets around Syria including in the capital Damascus demanding protection for religious minorities following the Christmas tree burning, which took place in the city of Hama around 200 km north of Damascus last night.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Dec. 2024
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Jodie Turner-Smith is demanding that her estranged husband Joshua Jackson pay her child and spousal support in their ongoing divorce.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Temporarily suppressing our rational thought and imposing randomness supercharges unconscious processes.—
Hulan Hagen,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
At the imposing stone Hotel Pordoi, a former church school on the onetime Austrian border, at more than 7,000 feet, the xx plays on the stereo.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
These can take many forms, including internal (continuation funds), or secondary firms for LPs (buying a full stake) or GPs (to sell particular positions).—
Alex Lazarow,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The Red Sox turned two smooth double plays to help Houck out of some potentially problematic innings, and Bregman in particular made some difficult plays at third base look easy.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
First, monitor how Asian hubs respond to the surprising success of Singapore’s stricter regime - will Hong Kong double down on flexibility or pivot toward stability?—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Some venues, such as London's fabric, encourage a phone-free environment through guidance rather than strict enforcement.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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