1
as in scholarly
marked by or given to showing knowledge in a showy way
The writing was overly complex and pedantic, which made it nearly impossible to understand for anyone but a specialist. The speech was thoroughly researched and well structured, but too pedantic to appeal to a general audience.
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2
as in boring
causing weariness or lack of interest
I found the author's writing informative but dreadfully pedantic.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pedantic
If only a pedantic stance could ease Americans’ fears that health care coverage will be out of reach for them in 2026.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
The pedantic director meticulously oversaw the entire construction, from perfecting the lighting in each apartment to testing the complex drainage system that collected the fake rain.
—Nathan Smith, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2025
Instead of focusing on the defense industrial base, the upcoming national defense strategy, or preparing to face threats across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, Hegseth talked about fitness tests and haircuts, coming across as pedantic for a room of seasoned commanders, the staffer said.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
Greengrass uses the scene where the bus becomes stationary as an example of conveying feelings without being pedantic.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pedantic
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
The pedantic director meticulously oversaw the entire construction, from perfecting the lighting in each apartment to testing the complex drainage system that collected the fake rain.
—Nathan Smith, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2025
Instead of focusing on the defense industrial base, the upcoming national defense strategy, or preparing to face threats across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, Hegseth talked about fitness tests and haircuts, coming across as pedantic for a room of seasoned commanders, the staffer said.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
Greengrass uses the scene where the bus becomes stationary as an example of conveying feelings without being pedantic.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pedantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pedantic
Adjective
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The most careful scholarly estimate suggests that at least 20 million Americans have served time in prison or lived under felony supervision, or both.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In December, Summers was dealt a lifetime ban from the American Economic Association, a nonprofit scholarly association dedicated to economic research, over his Epstein ties.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crank up some music and have a dance party during an otherwise boring moment.—
Margery D. Rosen,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2026
-
At this point, the UConn-dominance-is-boring crowd has had years to debate during the reigns of several incredible players.—
Chantel Jennings,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With the help of her best friend Tatum (Rose McGowan), boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich), and cine-literate nerds Randy (Jamie Kennedy) and Stu (Matthew Lillard), Sidney sets out to determine who’s behind the mask.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
-
My grandmother, who was the only literate one in our family, would write strange musings.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Flying can be tiring, but apparently not as tiring as seeing passengers in pajamas – at least according to one airport.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Blennies and gobies are tiring to look at, darting every which way above.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, as the emotional Moon opposes cerebral Mercury, feelings and words pull in different directions, so listening becomes the bridge.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Your 11th House of Connected Communities calls for review as cerebral Mercury goes retrograde, so group efforts may stall around demands for clearer roles.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The back-and-forth between Archie and Katie is exhausting, and the politics of academia, including budget changes and the revolving door of faculty and staff, are rather dull.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cold temperatures dull flavors and aromas—meaning your drink just won't be as full-flavored as one poured at room temperature or served over ice.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
According to the German firm, the approach enables intelligent systems, including humanoid robots, to operate in live manufacturing environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
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And then Roger Roger, the generative AI has become more intelligent.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
If these scenes feel a bit didactic, hammering home everything from the shortage of nurses with SANE training to the dozens of regulations SANEs must follow to protect evidence, their lessons serve as a corrective for many of us who’ve absorbed decades’ worth of rape-as-entertainment.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
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Constipation and Digestion Issues There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble, and both play important roles in regular bowel movements, says Laurie Allen, RDN, LDN, professor of nutrition and director of didactic program in dietetics nutrition at UNC Greensboro.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pedantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pedantic. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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