In this paper exact solutions of the modified nonlinearly dispersive KdV equations (simply called mK(m, n, k) equations), u(m-1) u(t) + a (u(n))(x) + b(u(k))(xxx) = 0, are investigated by using some direct ansatze. As a result, abundant new compacton solutions: solitons with the absence of infinite wings, solitary pattern solutions having infinite slopes or cups, solitary wave solutions and periodic wave solutions are obtained. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.