punctilious

adjective

ˌpəŋk-ˈti-lē-əs How to pronounce punctilious (audio)
Definition of punctiliousnext
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details old-money aristocrats with a punctilious sense of propriety

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of punctilious are careful, meticulous, and scrupulous. While all these words mean "showing close attention to detail," punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points.

punctilious observance of ritual

Where would careful be a reasonable alternative to punctilious?

The synonyms careful and punctilious are sometimes interchangeable, but careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes.

a careful worker

In what contexts can meticulous take the place of punctilious?

The words meticulous and punctilious can be used in similar contexts, but meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points.

meticulous scholarship

When can scrupulous be used instead of punctilious?

While the synonyms scrupulous and punctilious are close in meaning, scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical.

scrupulous honesty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punctilious Eliminate the constant replays to create punctilious correctness. — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2026 Rick is tightly scheduled, punctilious to a fault, endowed with verbal wit that gently but firmly shapes and smooths social interactions. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026 The Irish actor Andrew Scott deftly embodies James Stagg, the punctilious Scottish chief meteorologist. — Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026 The following top 10 best horror movies of 2024 are all quality films that will stand the test of time thanks to their punctilious craft. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctilious
  1. formal
  2. decorous
  3. correct
  4. ceremonious
  5. nice
  6. proper
  7. solemn
Adjective
  • Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.
    — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Between now and then, there is much parsing of the 16-track album’s rich content to be done, with millions of words of formal and informal think-pieces to come.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • What used to be called UFOs and now go by the more decorous handle of UAPs—or unidentified anomalous phenomena—are being given the full investigatory treatment.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The press coverage in Austria and Germany had been relatively decorous.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Everyone predicted the scoreline of each of the 10 Premier League matches each gameweek, with points awarded for correct guesses and a league table kept track of who was leading.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This week's total solar eclipse captured the world's attention, and millions of skywatchers looked up (with the correct protective eyewear, hopefully) to experience the moon blocking out our star's light.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.
    — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of ceremonious
Adjective
  • New York has a nice blend of skill and compete in a system that should produce reliable NHL talent but still has a lot of work ahead in this next rebuild.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Those of us who despise Trumpism too rarely asked ourselves whether Trump’s efforts to conceal an apparently consensual relationship with Stormy Daniels were the proper grounds for prosecution.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a proper kitchen built for actual cooking, and city views round it out as a solid base for spending some serious time in.
    — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • Both are powerful spots of natural beauty and deep cultural significance, but for a less solemn outing, the little islet of Ojima sits neatly between the two.
    — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • After seeing corrupt cops rewarded with medals and politics debase his best friend, now the courts can’t even be trusted to perform their solemn duty.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of solemn

Browse Nearby Words

punchy
punctilious
punctiliously
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Cite this Entry

“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on punctilious

Nglish: Translation of punctilious for Spanish Speakers

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