inexact

adjective

in·​ex·​act ˌi-nig-ˈzakt How to pronounce inexact (audio)
1
: not precisely correct or true : inaccurate
an inexact translation
2
: not rigorous and careful
an inexact thinker
inexactly adverb
inexactness noun

Examples of inexact in a Sentence

The measurements were somewhat inexact, but they were close enough. a thousand is an inexact figure for the number of islands in the St. Lawrence River
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This way of peering at screen culture from an inexact distance, which also comes up in a scolding scene where Ethan scrolls aimlessly through something like TikTok, rankles in a play that is otherwise so precise about physical time and space. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 The movie devolves into something inexact and thoughtless, without anything distinct to recenter it. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025 Assigning lockers can be an inexact science, though. Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 The film stages its riot of activity as hard-nosed honesty, but its portrait is ultimately as ginned-up and inexact as the fictional news broadcast’s lurid prying. Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inexact

Word History

Etymology

French, from in- + exact exact

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inexact was circa 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Inexact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexact. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

inexact

adjective
in·​ex·​act ˌin-ig-ˈzakt How to pronounce inexact (audio)
: not exactly correct or true : inaccurate
inexact measurements
inexactly adverb
inexactness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inexact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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