exacting

UK: /ɪgˈzæktɪŋ/ US: /ɪgˈzæktɪŋ/ ,(ig zak′ting)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•act•ing /ɪgˈzæktɪŋ/   adj. 

1. demanding or expecting much:
   an exacting teacher.
2. requiring great effort;
   demanding:
   an exacting task.

ex•act•ing•ly, adv. See -act-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•act•ing  (ig zak′ting), adj. 

1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements:
   an exacting teacher.
2. requiring close application or attention:
   an exacting task.
3. given to or characterized by exaction;
   extortionate.

• exact + -ing² 1575–85

ex•act′ing•ly, adv. 
ex•act′ing•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

exacting / ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/ adjective

1. making rigorous or excessive demands: an exacting job

exˈactingly adverb

exˈactingness noun

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•act /ɪgˈzækt/  adj. 

1. [before a noun] strictly accurate or correct:
   an exact description.
2. characterized by, capable of, or using strict accuracy;
   precise:
   an exact thinker.

v. [~ + object + from + object]

3. to call for, demand, or require:
   parents who exact respect from their children.

ex•act•ness, n. [uncountable] See -act-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•act  (ig zakt′), adj. 

1. strictly accurate or correct:
   an exact likeness; an exact description.
2. precise, as opposed to approximate:
   the exact sum; the exact date.
3. admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline;
   strict or rigorous.
4. capable of the greatest precision:
   exact instruments.
5. characterized by or using strict accuracy:
   an exact thinker.
6. Mathematics (of a differential equation) noting that the collection of all terms, equated to zero, is an exact differential.

v.t. 

7. to call for, demand, or require:
   to exact respect from one's children.
8. to force or compel the payment, yielding, or performance of:
   to exact money; to exact tribute from a conquered people.

• Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere drive out, thrust out), equivalent. to ex- ex-¹ + ag(ere) to drive + -tus past participle suffix
• late Middle English exacten (verb, verbal) 1400–50

ex•act′a•ble, adj. 
ex•act′er, ex•ac′tor, n. 
ex•act′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. rigid, severe, unbending.
• 5. methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous.
• 8. wring. See extract. 

Antonyms

• 1, 2. imprecise.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

exact / ɪɡˈzækt/ adjective

1. correct in every detail; strictly accurate: an exact copy
2. precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor less: the exact sum
3. (prenominal) specific; particular: this exact spot
4. operating with very great precision: exact instruments
5. allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strict: an exact mind
6. based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classification: physics is an exact science

verb (transitive)

1. to force or compel (payment or performance); extort: to exact tribute
2. to demand as a right; insist upon: to exact respect from one's employees
3. to call for or require: this work exacts careful effort

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive

exˈactable adjective

exˈactness noun

exˈactor, exˈacter noun