Synonyms of anal

anal

adjective

informal

as in obsessive

extremely or overly neat, careful, or precise

I've always been anal about arranging my books alphabetically by author.

Related Words

• obsessive
• adamant
• strict
• stubborn
• obstinate
• anal-retentive
• persistent
• unrelenting
• rigid
• hard
• uncompromising
• unbending
• pertinacious
• relentless
• mulish
• adamantine
• perverse
• intransigent
• pat
• inflexible
• hardened
• implacable
• bullheaded
• ossified
• opinionated
• obdurate
• unyielding
• hardheaded
• headstrong
• willful
• wayward
• inexorable
• tenacious
• unflinching
• severe
• immovable
• dogged
• stern
• wrongheaded
• iron
• pigheaded
• steadfast
• resolved
• self-willed
• determined
• hard-nosed
• hidebound
• inconvincible
• hard-line
• single-minded
• hard-shell
• narrow-minded
• firm
• cantankerous
• disobedient
• refractory
• recalcitrant
• uncooperative
• self-opinionated
• stiff-necked
• insubordinate
• unmanageable
• hell-bent
• set
• intractable
• contumacious
• stouthearted
• unruly
• cussed
• mutinous
• contrary
• defiant
• bloody-minded
• insurgent
• froward
• ungovernable
• inveterate
• invincible
• exacting
• indomitable
• unconquerable
• confirmed
• unregenerate
• demanding

Dissimilar Words

• submissive
• obedient
• docile
• willing
• receptive
• tractable
• accepting
• responsive
• reasonable
• manageable
• temperate
• placable
• slavish
• subservient
• flexible
• complying
• compliant
• acquiescent
• persuadable
• agreeable
• amenable
• pliant
• pliable
• governable
• yielding
• relenting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of anal

The reverse-direction analysis did not find strong evidence that the perianal diseases examined causally drive sleep disorders or general sleep traits, though an association surfaced between anal fissures and sleep duration. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Bidets may also ease discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal fissures, and help people with chronic diarrhea or conditions that require frequent wiping. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

While skin is known to absorb chemicals, including PFAS, genital and anal areas are made of mucosal surfaces, a type of thin, moist, and more sensitive skin that leads to the interior of the body. — Jillian Pretzel, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Depending on the cause, a veterinarian may recommend expressing the anal glands, treating an infection or addressing contributing issues such as chronic soft stool, allergies, parasites or excess weight. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026