exacting

a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged

adjective

strictly accurate or correct: an exact likeness; an exact description.

precise, as opposed to approximate: the exact sum; the exact date.

admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.

capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.

characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.

Mathematics. (of a differential equation) noting that the collection of all terms, equated to zero, is an exact differential.

verb (used with object)

to call for, demand, or require: to exact respect from one's children.

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

ex·act·a·ble, adjective

ex·act·er, ex·ac·tor, noun

ex·act·ness, noun

non·ex·act·a·ble, adjective

pre·ex·act, adjective, verb (used with object)

qua·si-ex·act, adjective

qua·si-ex·act·ly, adverb

un·ex·act·ed, adjective

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

Antonyms
1, 2. imprecise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To exacting

Collins

World English Dictionary

exact (ɪɡˈzækt)

—*adj*
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

—vb
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

[C16: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive]

ex'actable

—*adj*

ex'actness

—n

ex'actor

—n

ex'acter

—n

exacting (ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ)

—*adj*
	making rigorous or excessive demands: an exacting job

ex'actingly

—*adv*

ex'actingness

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

exact

"precise, rigorous, accurate," 1530s, from L. exactus, pp. of exigere, lit. "to drive or force out," also "demand, finish, measure," from ex- "out" + agere "drive, lead, act" (see act). The verb (late 14c., implied in exaction) is older in English and represents the literal

sense of the Latin. Related: Exacted.

exacting

"too demanding," 1580s, prp. adj. from exact.

Example sentences

He was known as a demanding and exacting newsman and anchor.

Exacting genetic and metabolic tests require strict adherence to test protocols and exacting laboratory standards.

No one knew how exacting he was-a mad perfectionist with an aesthetic few would understand.

Then there is the long list of exacting technical and commercial specifications

aviation biofuels will need to meet.

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nice perform remit scrupulous severe squeamish

Matching Quote

"Firm, faithful, and devoted, full of energy and zeal, and truth, he labours for his race; he clears their painful way to improvement; he hews down like a giant the prejudices of creed and caste that encumber it. He may be stern; he may be exacting; he may be ambitious yet; but his is the sternness of the warrior Greatheart, who guards his pilgrim convoy from the onslaught of Apollyon. His is the exaction of the apostle, who speaks but for Christ, when he says, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." His is the ambition of the high master-spirit, which aims to fill a place in the first rank of those who are redeemed from the earth—who stand without fault before the throne of God, who share the last mighty victories of the Lamb, who are called, and chosen, and faithful."

-Charlotte Brontë