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
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
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
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
As a protocol officer for Mr. Xi, Mr. Qin was exhaustively punctilious, said Pavel Slunkin, who was a Belarusian diplomat involved in arranging a visit by Mr. Xi to Belarus in 2015.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 26 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 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
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
As a protocol officer for Mr. Xi, Mr. Qin was exhaustively punctilious, said Pavel Slunkin, who was a Belarusian diplomat involved in arranging a visit by Mr. Xi to Belarus in 2015.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 26 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for punctilious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctilious
Adjective
-
All were displayed in an austere room designed for examining art works—an oddly formal space for an encounter with one’s past.—
Bruce Handy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This easygoing aesthetic introduces itself in the living room, which doubles as the home’s entry since there’s no formal foyer.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
-
By default, the projector will switch to the correct mode for input tagged as Filmmaker or IMAX, and adjust other settings to match.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
After spending the last two seasons together at the University of Minnesota, it’s been nice having each other to lean on — and to geek out with.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
There’s a place downtown called Soul Classics that’s really nice, like street-wear stuff.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
All my Social Security user logins are again able to connect and view the proper benefit information.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2025
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Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 in the body, a crucial nutrient for the formation of red blood cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In a solemn message, Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the nation’s grief.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day remained a solemn day of observance with little revelry.—
Bryan McGovern,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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