exacting

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The work is exacting, isolating, high-pressure—and often takes a steep toll.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

At the FBI, he gained a reputation of being an exacting taskmaster and, despite his early Republican political alignment, someone who was appreciated by politicians of both political parties.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

Ryan Wagner makes sure bartenders meet exacting standards for foam and temperature as stout sales boom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Other natural woods that could serve as teak substitutes often struggle to meet the industry's exacting standards or are limited in supply.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

I suppose she was taking inventory, what I had, what she didn’t have, doing the simple arithmetic and, perhaps a few days later, exacting some new promise from Papa.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez