exacting

[ig-zak-ting] /ɪgˈzæk tɪŋ/
adjective
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.
Origin
1575-85; exact + -ing2
Related forms
exactingly, adverb
exactingness, noun
nonexacting, adjective
nonexactingly, adverb
nonexactingness, noun
overexacting, adjective
superexacting, adjective
unexacting, adjective

exact

[ig-zakt] /ɪgˈzækt/
adjective
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.
verb (used with object)
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.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English exacten (v.) < Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere drive out, thrust out), equivalent to ex- ex-1 + ag(ere) to drive + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
exactable, adjective
exacter, exactor, noun
exactness, noun
nonexactable, adjective
preexact, adjective, verb (used with object)
quasi-exact, adjective
quasi-exactly, adverb
unexacted, adjective
Synonyms
3. rigid, severe, unbending. 5. methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous. 8. wring. See extract.
Antonyms
1, 2. imprecise.
Examples from the web for exacting
  • He was known as a demanding and exacting newsman and anchor.
  • Widespread hunger remains intractable throughout the world and is exacting a high human toll.
  • Philosophical leanings might seem impossible to pin town with exacting word problems.
  • Although exacting in their requirements, forms offered by specialists are among the choicest of rock garden plants.
  • Although previous studies had failed to find a clear-cut relationship, new, more exacting.
  • Letterpress is an industrial process, as exacting and personal as you want it to be.
  • So the moral of the story is to screw other people over and depend on them not exacting revenge.
  • Each of his models is based on a real boat and done to exacting scale.
  • Strawberries have somewhat more exacting requirements.
  • Dunham works out details with deliberate, exacting precision.
British Dictionary definitions for exacting

exacting

/ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/
adjective
1.
making rigorous or excessive demands: an exacting job
Derived Forms
exactingly, adverb
exactingness, noun

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)
7.
to force or compel (payment or performance); extort: to exact tribute
8.
to demand as a right; insist upon: to exact respect from one's employees
9.
to call for or require: this work exacts careful effort
Derived Forms
exactable, adjective
exactness, noun
exactor, exacter, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive
Word Origin and History for exacting
adj.

"too demanding," 1580s, present participle adjective from exact (v.).

exact

adj.

"precise, rigorous, accurate," 1530s, from Latin exactus "precise, accurate, exact," past participle of exigere "demand, require," literally "to drive or force out," also "demand, finish, measure," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + agere "drive, lead, act" (see act).

v.

mid-15c., from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere (see exact (adj.)). Older in English than the adjective and retaining the literal sense of the Latin source. Related: Exacted; exacting.