Definition of precisenext
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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 Rare, high-quality gemstones are at the core of each creation, combined with refined gold work and precise stone setting, allowing the natural energy and character of each stone to lead the design. Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026 This technique could help astronomers hoping to catch glimpses of exoplanets or get a more precise understanding of the motions and sizes of distant stars. K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 27 May 2026 Though Blanche will appoint the five commissioners tasked with processing claims, his precise role in the fund’s conception and implementation is unclear. Eric Tucker, Fortune, 23 May 2026 Since 1873, the Record has served as the most complete daily account of what the people's representatives on Capitol Hill accomplished, or didn't, chronicling the monologues and the mundanities of the legislative process with precise formatting and meticulous editing. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • Atlas benefits further from a simplified hardware design, featuring symmetrical limbs and just two actuator types, making simulation and transfer more accurate and efficient.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
  • They were armed with Glock pistols, which are only accurate for a short distance.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Buxton was correct, getting the call overturned.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026
  • Both could have been listed as correct.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • The exact reason why is debated by scientists, but theories include a huge collision in early Martian history, or unstable mantle plumes.
    Tom Brown, Space.com, 25 May 2026
  • The rooms Each stand-alone A-frame tent is structured and designed the exact same—the only difference between the rooms is the view.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • This is particularly true for the relationship between the United States and China but can be seen elsewhere as well.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • The legacy of Assad’s prisons is the true peril that faces us.
    Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • Trump didn't offer specific details in the post on what the deal might include.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 May 2026
  • Clarify roles, reduce unnecessary scope, and make expectations specific enough for everyone to follow.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • But getting from the ground state to a full mathematical description of the reaction will be far more difficult, involving calculating energies for a whole sequence of intermediate chemical states.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 May 2026
  • The nightly variance in a league that shot 44 percent from the floor last season is a mathematical nightmare.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • With proper storage, liquor and liqueur can generally last indefinitely.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
  • But most enterprises scaling the tech today are doing so absent proper guardrails.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Marks and his partner, Robert Hazan, both Americans, told the Naperville Sun in 2020 that business concept for Guzman y Gomez stemmed from their inability to find authentic Mexican food in Australia.
    Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Susie notes that many familiar foods fall into this category, including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi; aged cheeses like cheddar, gouda and parmesan; as well as miso, tempeh, kombucha, soy sauce, authentic sourdough bread and certain pickles.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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