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
Saban was different from Carroll, more punctilious but no less competitive or curious about defenses, with an unusually keen eye for identifying talent.
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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
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This is his first full album since the end of the YSL trial and his formal release from prison, following his guilty plea on October 31, 2024.—
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Still, if the DNI made a formal recommendation, the State Department is the issuing authority for foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designations.—
Adjective
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The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.—
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Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.—
Adjective
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Right now, patients don't have the ability to confirm whether their doctors' advice is correct, according to Bonis.—
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Understanding how to get the issue of accountability correct is critical.—
Adjective
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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.—
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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.—
Adjective
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With a turtleneck and jeans For an ensemble that’s nice (and warm) enough to wear in practically any situation, just add an eye-catching topper to your usual cold-weather combo.—
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Which would make a nice change of pace from the collective teeth-gnashing in FoCo lately.—
Adjective
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Without proper padding and protection, your device risks scratches, dents, or worse, internal damage.—
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Additional resources for homeless children and youth Phoenix Union launched a district resource center after Tercero learned some students weren’t attending class due to a lack of proper clothing.—
Adjective
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The lighthearted juxtaposition of Vessel’s stage presence with the moody and solemn nature of Sleep Token’s music served as a good reminder that, even apart from all the lore, this is just a really solid rock band with songs that pack a heavy punch when performed live.—
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The archetype is, of course, familiar—but Hawke imbues each of these characters with infectious zeal and a solemn, even sacred, severity.—
Cite this Entry
“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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