exactly

adverb

ex·act·ly | \ ig-ˈzak-(t)lē

Definition of exactly

1a : in a manner or measure or to a degree or number that strictly conforms to a fact or condition it's exactly 3 o'clock these two pieces are exactly the same size

b : in every respect : altogether, entirely that was exactly the wrong thing to do not exactly what I had in mind

2 : quite so —used to express agreement

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Examples of exactly in a Sentence

The levers need to be exactly positioned. we will meet at exactly six o'clock

Recent Examples on the Web

If Sanders is really surging in the Democratic primary, one big question is what exactly Warren is going to do about him. — John Mccormack, National Review, "Is Sanders Surging?," 12 Sep. 2019 Millions already use it to talk about their fondness for one candidate, or dislike of another, so political ads can be aimed at exactly those voters most likely to respond. — BostonGlobe.com, "“It’s a necessity of politics that you be on Facebook now,” said Matt Corridoni, press secretary to US Representative Seth Moulton’s unsuccessful presidential run. “Republicans are doing the same thing.”," 12 Sep. 2019 Although it's been 34 years since the publication of Margaret Atwood's dystopian triumph, The Handmaid's Tale, its sequel, The Testaments, arrives exactly on time. — Wired, "WIRED's 13 Must-Read Books for Fall," 12 Sep. 2019 Russia Bolton’s takes on Russia may not have triggered rhetorical responses as fierce as the ones from North Korea and Iran, but Bolton wasn’t exactly welcomed in Moscow either. — Washington Post, "Why U.S. foes around the world will welcome Bolton’s departure, and why they shouldn’t get too excited," 12 Sep. 2019 So how exactly does one get into mushrooms in the first place? — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida’s fungi: Learn more about mushrooms with Central Florida’s ‘Fungi Jon’," 11 Sep. 2019 There’s nothing more genuine than a child’s show of affection, and that’s exactly what Tekara Capron witnessed (times four!) when her three-year-old son Makai Simmons returned to preschool on Monday. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Three-Year-Old Florida Boy Embraced by Classmates After Surviving Dorian in the Bahamas," 11 Sep. 2019 Related Stories The ballot campaign had the unusual, and perhaps unprecedented, distinction of attracting exactly zero dollars from either supporters or opponents. — Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, "Bid to put California on year-round daylight saving time is dead," 10 Sep. 2019 The past 20-odd months of campaigning for the 9th have made clear that McCready is exactly the kind of candidate the Democratic establishment would love to welcome into their ranks. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "Two Dans, Two Elections, and No Winners," 10 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exactly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for exactly

exactly

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of exactly

—used to stress that something is accurate, complete, or correct

: in a correct or precise way : in a way that agrees completely with what is needed

: in every way

See the full definition for exactly in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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exactly

Definition of exactly

Synonyms for exactly

Examples of exactly in a Sentence

First Known Use of exactly

History and Etymology for exactly

English Language Learners Definition of exactly

exactly

Definition of exactly

Synonyms for exactly

Examples of exactly in a Sentence

First Known Use of exactly

History and Etymology for exactly

English Language Learners Definition of exactly

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