as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
old-money aristocrats with a punctilious sense of propriety
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Recent Examples of punctilious
If the roles of estate planner, trustee and personal representative for a client by themselves are deemed to be conflicting positions, as suggested by the court’s opinion, then punctilious adherence to the conflict rules regarding sales of financial products or insurance is even more important.
—
Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
But judging asylum claims on this standard has often been an exhaustive, slow and punctilious process, ascertaining the persecutor’s intent, verifying the claimant’s beliefs or identity at the root of the persecution and so on.
—Bill Frelick, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
Saban was different from Carroll, more punctilious but no less competitive or curious about defenses, with an unusually keen eye for identifying talent.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2024
Rudolf, before he is eventually tasked with moving on to another camp, is a punctilious, contented autocrat.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
But judging asylum claims on this standard has often been an exhaustive, slow and punctilious process, ascertaining the persecutor’s intent, verifying the claimant’s beliefs or identity at the root of the persecution and so on.
—Bill Frelick, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
Saban was different from Carroll, more punctilious but no less competitive or curious about defenses, with an unusually keen eye for identifying talent.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2024
Rudolf, before he is eventually tasked with moving on to another camp, is a punctilious, contented autocrat.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctilious
Adjective
-
Many other people reject formal education (for other people, though usually not for their own kids) as unnecessary to attaining the highest ranks of wealth and power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
But, the grande dame here is the two-bedroom Alii Royal suite ($26,000 a night) with an open living and dining space, a formal seating area, a library, and three private balconies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
But such disagreements tended to be handled with the decorous language of diplomacy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The playing position was thought more decorous than the position for the violin, and the mandolin itself was visually attractive, appearing as a fashion accessory in any number of paintings.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The star-nosed mole’s speed is an adaptation for the act of recognition itself — for making correct categorical decisions, in the dark, at the physical limit of neural transmission.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
In an interview with the Observer, Page acknowledged that the department’s initial claim that Manigault came into the store waving a gun was not correct.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
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
Adjective
-
This classy, versatile shirt is easy to wear, either tucked or untucked, with a pair of blue jeans, a satin skirt, or nice trousers.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
The win marked a nice bounce-back for Georgetown, which had dropped four of five games before this second straight win.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
After all, the key to a flawless beat is proper skincare application!—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 May 2026
-
Sit down at a proper meal table (not your desk or the car), put your snack on a plate or in a bowl, and take a breath to center yourself before taking the first bite.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The annual solemn ceremony was a kickoff to Patriot Week.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Despite the crowds, the rousing music, and the excitement, Washington’s departure was a solemn affair, freighted by the stunning fact that the American colonies were now truly at war with the British Empire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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