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Specifically vs Exact - What's the difference?

specifically | exact |

As an adverb specifically

is in a specific manner, applying to or naming a particular thing or things, expressly, explicitly.

As an adjective exact is

precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect.

As a verb exact is

to demand and enforce the payment or performance of.

specifically

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • in a specific manner, applying to or naming a particular thing or things, expressly, explicitly
  • * 1994 , Congress of the United States, :
  • A provision of law may not be construed as requiring a new grant to be awarded to a specified non-Federal Government entity unless that provision of law (1) specifically''' refers to this subsection; '''specifically''' identifies the particular non-Federal Government entity involved; and (3) '''specifically states that the award to that entity is required by such provision of law in contravention of the policy set forth in subsection (a).
  • * 2009 (last modified), University of North Dakota, Institutional Review Board Standard Operating Procedures: Informed Consent Documentation :
  • Unless specifically waived by the IRB, all subjects, or their legally authorized representatives, must document that they are consenting to participate in any research project that is approved by the University of North Dakota Institutional Review Board.
  • * 2010 (last amended), Congress of the United States, :
  • Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit.
  • * 2011 , Paul Bergman, Sara Berman, The Criminal Law Handbook: Know Your Rights, Survive the System :
  • Many laws are directed specifically at child abuse.
  • for a specific purpose or reason
  • exact

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect.
  • Habitually careful to agree with a standard, a rule, or a promise; accurate; methodical; punctual.
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • I see thou art exact of taste.
  • * 1661 , , The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond
  • During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant
  • Precisely or definitely conceived or stated; strict.
  • * (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • An exact command, / Larded with many several sorts of reason.
  • (algebra, of a sequence of groups connected by homomorphisms) Such that the kernel of one homomorphism is the image of the preceding one.
  • Synonyms

    * (precisely agreeing) perfect, true, correct, precise * (precisely or definitely conceived or stated) strict * spot on

    Antonyms

    * (precisely agreeing) inexact, imprecise, approximate * (precisely or definitely conceived or stated) loose

    Derived terms

    * exactly * exactness * exact sequence

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To demand and enforce the payment or performance of.
  • to exact tribute, fees, or obedience
  • * Bible, Luke iii. 13
  • He said into them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  • To make desirable or necessary.
  • * Massinger
  • My designs exact me in another place.
  • To forcibly obtain or produce.
  • to exact revenge

    Derived terms

    * exactable * exacter * exacting * exactor