as in dreamer
a person who wants things to be done perfectly or who tries to do things perfectly
I'm a bit of a perfectionist, which makes it difficult for me to finish things sometimes.
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Recent Examples of perfectionist
Andreeva has always been a perfectionist, sometimes to her benefit, often to her detriment.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
She was known to be a perfectionist, sometimes demanding take after take when even the director was perfectly happy.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Hart, ever the perfectionist, wasn’t thrilled.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The actress puts her Broadway chops to good use as the ambitious perfectionist (and Barbra Streisand obsessive) Rachel Berry on Glee, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Kurtz said the partners are all perfectionists, and that carries over to their cup quality.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Monsieur D’Estrées was a very strict teacher, a perfectionist.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Schaefer’s the perfectionist’s perfectionist.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
This means the perfectionist in you can zero in on the perfect shade of beige or blue without shelling out for customized covers.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
She was known to be a perfectionist, sometimes demanding take after take when even the director was perfectly happy.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Hart, ever the perfectionist, wasn’t thrilled.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The actress puts her Broadway chops to good use as the ambitious perfectionist (and Barbra Streisand obsessive) Rachel Berry on Glee, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Kurtz said the partners are all perfectionists, and that carries over to their cup quality.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Monsieur D’Estrées was a very strict teacher, a perfectionist.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Schaefer’s the perfectionist’s perfectionist.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
This means the perfectionist in you can zero in on the perfect shade of beige or blue without shelling out for customized covers.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfectionist
dreamer
Noun
-
While a Tudor home is full of character and embodies the whimsy dreamers are drawn to, Brutalist architecture's strength and purpose speak to those who value respect over charm.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
-
Home to innovators, entrepreneurs, immigrants, workers, artists, and dreamers from every corner of the globe.—
Adam Miller,
Daily News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfectionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfectionist. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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