pedantry
noun
ped·ant·ry
ˈpe-dᵊn-trē 
plural pedantries
1
: pedantic presentation or application of knowledge or learning
2
: an instance of pedantry
Examples of pedantry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The documentary never resorts to pedantry in communicating its feelings about the community, but instead operates from an assumption of equality.
—
Vikram Murthi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
This is not a matter of politics, punditry, or pedantry.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
There are some downsides besides pedantry about historical accuracy, too.
—Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
Save this pedantry for LeBrun’s mailbag.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Her disbelief at bureacratic pedantry reaches a fever pitch as her desperation increases, resulting in a scene reminiscent of Judy Hopps and Flash the Sloth at the DMV in Zootopia.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
The inflated pedantry of his style, all those technical-sounding terms and incantatory clauses in the service of a simple idea, seems practically comic, but Kushner presents it earnestly, without a hint of irony.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
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.
Vikram Murthi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
This is not a matter of politics, punditry, or pedantry.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
There are some downsides besides pedantry about historical accuracy, too.
—Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
Save this pedantry for LeBrun’s mailbag.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Her disbelief at bureacratic pedantry reaches a fever pitch as her desperation increases, resulting in a scene reminiscent of Judy Hopps and Flash the Sloth at the DMV in Zootopia.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
The inflated pedantry of his style, all those technical-sounding terms and incantatory clauses in the service of a simple idea, seems practically comic, but Kushner presents it earnestly, without a hint of irony.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pedantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedantry. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pedantry
noun
ped·ant·ry
ˈped-ᵊn-trē
plural pedantries
: dull and overly exact presentation of knowledge or learning
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
