Synonyms of meticulous

meticulous

adjective

mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs 

as in careful

taking, showing, or involving great care and effort

did a meticulous job of restoring the painting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• careful
• conscientious
• loving
• diligent
• thorough
• painstaking
• scrupulous
• cautious
• intensive
• thoughtful
• patient
• assiduous
• fussy
• strict
• particular
• indefatigable
• watchful
• exhaustive
• vigilant
• attentive
• thoroughgoing
• accurate
• deliberate
• fastidious
• precise
• mindful
• circumspect
• critical
• observant
• finicky
• wary
• sedulous
• exacting
• slow
• persevering
• zealous
• tireless
• chary
• discriminating
• tenacious
• guarded
• demanding
• alert
• heedful
• exact
• determined
• studied
• dogged
• plodding
• gingerly
• all-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careless
• cursory
• regardless
• negligent
• halfhearted
• heedless
• slipshod
• sloppy
• inattentive
• lax
• mindless
• unsafe
• slovenly
• incautious
• neglectful
• imprecise
• unguarded
• unwary
• inaccurate
• uncritical
• reckless
• bold
• impetuous
• undiscriminating
• undemanding
• lazy
• indifferent
• lackadaisical
• rash
• apathetic
• lazyish

Try This Instead

For

Try This

meticulous attention

impeccable attention

fastidious attention

precise attention

intricate attention

diligent attention

meticulous research

assiduous research

thorough research

extensive research

painstaking research

scrupulous research

meticulous planning

careful planning

rigorous planning

elaborate planning

diligent planning

intricate planning

Synonym Chooser

How is the word meticulous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of meticulous are careful, punctilious, and scrupulous. While all these words mean "showing close attention to detail," meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points.

meticulous scholarship

When can careful be used instead of meticulous?

The words careful and meticulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes.

a careful worker

When would punctilious be a good substitute for meticulous?

The meanings of punctilious and meticulous largely overlap; however, punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points.

punctilious observance of ritual

In what contexts can scrupulous take the place of meticulous?

In some situations, the words scrupulous and meticulous are roughly equivalent. However, scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical.

scrupulous honesty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of meticulous

But then, even the most meticulous research had failed to turn up that Dever’s father, Tim, voiced Bob the Builder, as well as another icon of children’s television, Barney the Dinosaur. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

At our firm, meticulous planning was critical to our success—from conducting a detailed feasibility study to structuring the right alternative practice framework to separate audit and advisory services. —Louis Grassi, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

The meticulous Thune is coordinating policy deals on the tax and spending cut package, and the pugilistic Trump is corralling balking conservatives in private phone calls and meetings. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 June 2025

This meticulous attention to detail makes the P3 series particularly effective for low-light observation, providing users with vibrant and clear views in challenging lighting conditions like those found whilst stargazing. —Matt Morris, Space.com, 6 June 2025

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