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exacting

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verb

present participle of exact
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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

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 exacting
Adjective
Alexander-Arnold is not unique in being held to a different, more exacting standard than the vast majority. Rory Smith, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 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
Verb
The dual pressures of addiction and burnout are exacting a steep toll on America’s entrepreneurs and executives. Jaime Catmull, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Playing, winning, is exacting its toll in the form of pain. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exacting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting
Adjective
  • Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 June 2025
  • However, Kilmeade was careful to praise Musk’s efforts during his time in the Trump administration.
    Andrew Kirell, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • These days, most people delivering your forecasts are scientists with rigorous training in calculus, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, atmospheric physics and the other meteorological coursework.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The Council for Higher Education Accreditation ensures accrediting agencies uphold rigorous standards.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • But the fact that Schwartzman, in his first film, was given the difficult task of stealing laughs away from a comedy legend, and so often succeeds in doing so, gives him the slight edge.
    Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
  • These connections are difficult to make from within, but consultants are trained to see across boundaries.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Read more upvotes Comment View 417 comments Dr. Melanie McCabe told Newsweek that the postpartum period can be both joyful and deeply challenging.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • Building wealth can be a challenging task, especially in challenging economic times.
    Anne-Lyse Ngatta, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Everest's unpredictable weather and difficult breathing conditions make this one of the most physically and mentally demanding climbs in the world.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Israel is demanding the release of all the remaining hostages, living and dead, with stages of a ceasefire in between releases, according to the ministry.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It could be argued that imposing retaliatory tariffs on electricity exports might encourage American states to seek more cost-effective energy alternatives, particularly those based on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
    Ali Hoss, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • These executive orders have addressed a broad range of policy areas, including imposing tariffs that has escalated trade tensions and provoked retaliatory measures from foreign governments.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This person’s crush probably has nothing to do with the grocery employee, but everything to do with a rush of brain chemicals that happened to occur in their particular brain coincidentally at that moment and in that space.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • This year, in particular, organizers for pride events, including in San Francisco and Houston, are seeing corporate sponsors pull out or give less of financial support.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is a strict bag policy in place at the stadium, and all restrictions will be enforced.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • No new stores that sell certain pets will be allowed to open in Manatee County and existing pet sellers and breeders will face stricter regulations under new rules passed unanimously Tuesday by county leaders.
    Ryan Ballogg, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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