as in martinet
a person who believes that something is very important and should be done or followed all the time
Her father was a stickler about arriving on time.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stickler
Sean Payton is a noted stickler for details, even beyond the normal standards of an obsessive group like professional football coaches.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
This type of companion isn’t just occasionally opinionated or a stickler for proper grammar.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 4 Aug. 2025
That's not to say that there aren't sticklers for the old way of doing things: leaving your phone at home or in the car, tucking it in your purse or pocket, turning it off, and at the very least, putting it on silent or vibrate mode.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Of course, there are some unrealistic elements in F1, moments that might have sticklers raising an eyebrow, but the film doesn’t feel any less dramatic than the real thing.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stickler
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
This type of companion isn’t just occasionally opinionated or a stickler for proper grammar.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 4 Aug. 2025
That's not to say that there aren't sticklers for the old way of doing things: leaving your phone at home or in the car, tucking it in your purse or pocket, turning it off, and at the very least, putting it on silent or vibrate mode.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Of course, there are some unrealistic elements in F1, moments that might have sticklers raising an eyebrow, but the film doesn’t feel any less dramatic than the real thing.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stickler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stickler
Noun
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And then there’s the U.S. Army officer who succeeds in apprehending Perfidia: Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, played in a graying military fade, with some fur on top and a martinet scowl, by Sean Penn.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Sep. 2025
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But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.—
Armond White,
National Review,
20 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Mitevska also refuses to sanctify Mother Teresa more than necessary, instead portraying her as a strict disciplinarian who believed in organizational practicality as much as in the inherent holiness of children.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
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Considering his managers at Leeds included disciplinarians such as Wilkinson and George Graham, this was probably for the best.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Cancer is a tough taskmaster, and doctors didn’t detect it early enough.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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For a man known around the Pentagon as a relentless, humorless taskmaster, McNamara seemed virtually unrecognizable on the party circuit, mingling casually with journalists, fellow government officials, and vivacious Georgetown hostesses.—
William Taubman,
Air Mail,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In turn, the criticizer is made out to be overreacting.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The purists were busy splitting hella hairs over the distinction between rap and real hip-hop.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
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Yet even when considering all the superyacht trappings, purists like Coles remain unconvinced.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Robb Report,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stickler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stickler. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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