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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 Additional details about the precise landing time and location will be provided by NASA and SpaceX closer to the time of undocking, the space agency said. Denise Chow, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026 Revolutionary ideologies need not provide a precise future plan to unite and motivate their followers. Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026 The precise nature of the guarantees that Europe and the US are willing to offer has gradually taken shape following months of meetings. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 That could lead to precise diet interventions to boost cancer treatment responses. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precise
Adjective
  • Mostly, though, Boland strangles batters with his suffocating and deadly-accurate line and length.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Comedians can sometimes be eerily accurate in the way their jokes predict the future.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Amazon’s listings, automatically generated by an experimental artificial intelligence tool, didn’t always correspond to the correct product in Burzio’s inventory.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Most importantly, recipients should ensure their banking details are correct and up to date before requesting or receiving a transfer.
    Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Although the venue’s exact location within Victoria Park is yet to be finalized, early studies by an an independent panel suggested that the stadium would occupy between 12% and 13% of its land.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The data below doesn’t include exact employee counts and is based on the most recent reports.
    Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This is especially true for plants that are marginally hardy in your area, as well as common perennials like woodland phlox, lamb’s ear, and hardy geraniums.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Fellow true freshman Joshua Moore should be in line for a bigger role next season as well.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But more than specific features and fixtures, the idea of wellness is becoming a big bathroom selling point.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The final part of the dormancy evolution puzzle is what ecologists refer to as the ecological niche a species occupies — the specific set of conditions that species evolved to exploit or the conditions under which that species is likely to be more successful when compared to other species.
    Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Blending Sufi classics, absurdist dreams, careful mathematical calculations and lyrical narratives, Ismailov invents an ingenious transnational poetics of love and longing for the digital age.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Einstein himself viewed it as a mathematical curiosity that likely had no physical meaning, but others disagreed.
    Big Think, Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Resar said the issue is technique and having a dedicated coach who specializes in tight ends and can teach him proper footwork and hand placement.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
  • After not hosting an official ceremony in 2022, the Golden Globes returned to proper form in 2023, with stars showing off jaw-dropping looks on the red carpet.
    Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • From the upscale shopping paradise of Bal Harbor to the authentic cultures of Little Havana and Little Haiti, and the contemporary art scene of the Design District, the destination offers a variety of experiences.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The video quickly went viral, reaching over 2 million views with many viewers assuming the image was authentic.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precise. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on precise

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