Exacting
(pronounced ig-zak-ting) adjective
Definition
1. making severe or rigorous demands; extremely rigid in requirements; difficult to please.
2. requiring great care, effort, accuracy, or attention.
Main Example
- With the U.S. economy at a point of "much uncertainty," to quote Ben Bernanke himself, the Federal Reserve Chairman must be having to walk a tightrope! To ease the credit crunch, bolster the slumping housing industry, and prevent a recession, he must lower interest rates further. But because of an already falling dollar, rising oil prices, and other cost pressures, an interest rate cut could trigger higher inflation--the Fed's archenemy! Indeed, it's an exacting task that Mr. Bernanke is facing.
Workplace Examples
- You're right, David is a tough and demanding boss. I've worked for him. But let me tell you this: There isn't a soul here who can measure up to the expectations of Linda, my present supervisor. Her standards are even more exacting!
- It's extremely difficult to keep this customer happy--he's one tough cookie! He is exacting on just about everything: delivery schedules, warranty, . . . even on how we prepare the invoice!
Other Examples
- a state attorney general saying: "My decision is based on an exacting and scrupulous review of this case."
- the exacting world of hospital intensive care units; that exacting high school teacher you will never forget; the exacting test requirements for gaining admission to certain colleges
- having to take frequent breaks during the exacting reading of a long, involved, and finely worded contract
- a New Yorker magazine article of a few years ago claiming that it took the U.S. some exacting behind-the-scenes diplomacy to head off an imminent nuclear war between India and Pakistan
