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 This has the capacity to cover up to 15,000 square feet while maintaining precise distribution. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 Its 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers captivating brilliance for 4K streaming and high-end design work, while the new hexagonal S Pen provides a more natural, precise writing experience. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026 Fernandes back-heeled a pass to Francisco Trincão, who beat goalkeeper Matt Freese with a precise strike. Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Nagarjuna is precise about the moment his identity as an actor crystallized. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Hedrick also won a Fiesta Bowl, in 2014, and was hailed as one of the most accurate passers in the nation.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly after.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The correct spreadsheet was never found.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Census Bureau will collect exact population counts during the next official census in 2030, unless a community requests a special census before then.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The exact address is 7628 Corina Drive, but just look on Spur 341 along the Naval Air Station runway 1 mile north of Interstate 30; 682-255-5370.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • There was no true striker for England.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Strong feedback is specific, behavior-based, and tied to outcomes.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The Missouri Secretary of State’s office offers an online tool to help voters look up their specific polling place for this election.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Breakthroughs in mathematical modeling, neural network design and sensor characterization will enable other low-power applications for these drones, such as environmental monitoring.
    Nitin Sanket, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
  • About that same time, Chinese scholars were compiling the Jiuzhang Suanshu, a mathematical treatise focused on solving practical problems with computation.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • City leaders in Brookhaven are reminding residents that cutting down trees without proper approval could come with consequences, as officials double down on efforts to preserve the city's tree canopy.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • While there is no cure for the disease, shelters say proper cleaning protocols can help control its spread, and vaccination remains the most effective form of prevention.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Thai Bella has a great outdoor patio and a large menu of authentic Thai dishes.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026
  • For me, that’s a great example of not being Hollywood and being authentic.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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