as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
old-money aristocrats with a punctilious sense of propriety
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Recent Examples of punctilious
Saban was different from Carroll, more punctilious but no less competitive or curious about defenses, with an unusually keen eye for identifying talent.
—
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2024
Rudolf, before he is eventually tasked with moving on to another camp, is a punctilious, contented autocrat.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2023
His punctilious, every-word-counts lyricism makes your head hurt in a good way, like GZA’s Liquid Swords, Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele, and RZA’s Gravediggaz work all congealed in a thrilling sonic stew.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2023
The Pith: Honorable intent and punctilious adherence to proper form and method does not guarantee a set of results which flesh out a genuine phenomenon.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2011
See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2024
Rudolf, before he is eventually tasked with moving on to another camp, is a punctilious, contented autocrat.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2023
His punctilious, every-word-counts lyricism makes your head hurt in a good way, like GZA’s Liquid Swords, Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele, and RZA’s Gravediggaz work all congealed in a thrilling sonic stew.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2023
The Pith: Honorable intent and punctilious adherence to proper form and method does not guarantee a set of results which flesh out a genuine phenomenon.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2011
See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctilious
Adjective
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Armani, who had already introduced unstructured jackets for men and women, was part of the generation of designers who ushered in a less formal fashion era, one that would allow men and women to look refined without looking stuffy.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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The meeting took place on the sidelines of celebrations in Beijing to mark the anniversary of Japan's formal surrender in World War Two.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
30 Aug. 2025
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The cost of parties, marketing, shipping, insurance, and the decorous administration of nearly five hundred sales a year only ever drifts one way.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And of that 130, there are between 20 and 30 examples that are actually full spec, or still in their correct configuration.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps Cleve is correct that the AI stack is wide enough, deep enough and varied enough to create opportunities for lots of different vertical and regional players.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Prior to kickoff in the game that marked the debut of the baby blue Riptide jersey, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed De Paul with the same type of ceremonious presentation that was given in years past to the star foursome of Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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Cutely line them up along the mantel with candles or lanterns, or add them to a nice tray with a few jack-o’-lanterns.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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The beef is tender, and the broth has that nice aromatic spice that is immediately soothing and associated with a classic beef noodle soup.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On stage, Anani showed people how to make proper hummus.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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To conduct a proper investigation, police need victims and witnesses – no matter their citizenship status – to come forward and speak to the police honestly about dangers to the public.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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At any rate, those are the types of academics who populate After the Hunt, Luca Guadagnino’s cartoonishly solemn drama, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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