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
  • Although the achievement is still awaiting formal certification, the milestone highlights the rapid evolution of high-performance drones for military applications.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Braverman was writing in response to another parliamentarian who noted that Jamaica planned to lodge a formal petition for reparations later this year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • The press coverage in Austria and Germany had been relatively decorous.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • This is a lovely, if rather decorous and reverent, tale of an illicit affair that’s unlikely to cause as much noise as Dhont’s last two films.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Once the outcome is decided, a correct contract is worth $1 and an incorrect contract is worth nothing.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • But if our estimates stand, our figure is substantially lower than some more sensational reports, which may not be correct in attributing bigger hikes in electric bills to data centers.
    — Daniel Yue, The Conversation, 10 July 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
  • Quince This matching set feels especially nice on warm nights, thanks to its naturally cooling bamboo viscose material.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Worth checking out The Nest Fragrances Reed Diffuser will keep your bathroom smelling nice with 21 lush scents, including lemon and mint, apricot tea, ginger and vanilla bean, ocean mist and sea salt, grapefruit and more.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Weist herself appears in a brief introductory clip before the performance proper.
    — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • While the theme words will not be a proper name, the spangram can be a proper name.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • In both the novel and its film adaptation, the scriptorium is portrayed as a solemn place where writing is a mechanical, joyless labor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But the challenge has remained over the decades for popes that the threat of schism, or a rupture within the church, might lurk behind a preference for a more solemn liturgy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on punctilious

Nglish: Translation of punctilious for Spanish Speakers

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