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 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 His punctilious, every-word-counts lyricism makes your head hurt in a good way, like GZA’s Liquid Swords, Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele, and RZA’s Gravediggaz work all congealed in a thrilling sonic stew. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2023 The Pith: Honorable intent and punctilious adherence to proper form and method does not guarantee a set of results which flesh out a genuine phenomenon. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2011 See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctilious
Adjective
  • Kabul wants to boost cooperation with an India that is also at odds with Pakistan, and as the Taliban continues to seek formal international recognition as the government of Afghanistan.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The company contested the findings and eventually reached a formal settlement, OSHA records show.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • California native of the week: California geranium (Geranium californium) is a perennial endemic to the Sierra Nevada that grows into a one-foot mound bearing flowers in white, pink, or lavender with large, highly decorous palmate leaves.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The pool of possible questions was raised to 128, and the requirement for correct answers raised to 12 out of 20 asked.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly after.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This one, for example, has fun detailing on the sleeves and a nice roomy fit that looks as comfortable as a sweatshirt.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Bills come due, eventually, in every sense, though reported name, image and likeness earnings nearing $2 million at Utah are a nice buffer.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • October marks the proper start of fall, and there’s no better time to plan an autumnal getaway—luckily, Amazon is overflowing with deals on everything from cozy layers to lightweight weekenders, plus hiking gear that can handle the crisp mornings.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The tour ended at a ranch, where we were greeted with cold towels, bottled water and a proper Vincy breakfast—a reward that made the early wake-up worth it.
    Essence, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Banners hang from the eaves of many houses, a solemn reminder to mark where residents were either killed or kidnapped.
    NBC News, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Yom Kippur is the most solemn Jewish holiday, marking the end of the 10 Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on punctilious

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