PEDANTIC Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

pedantic

adjective

as in scholarly

marked by or given to showing knowledge in a showy way The writing was overly complex and pedantic, which made it nearly impossible to understand for anyone but a specialist. The speech was thoroughly researched and well structured, but too pedantic to appeal to a general audience.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness or lack of interest I found the author's writing informative but dreadfully pedantic.

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of pedantic In Korea and Vietnam, the Soviet Union and its partners stalled negotiations, insisting on the most pedantic points, accusing the U.S. of bad faith, and starting with outlandish demands that, if the U.S. were to satisfy them, would have amounted to capitulation. —

Niall Ferguson, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024 The 63-page booklet was classic Sinclair: heartfelt, pedantic and too ahead of its time for its own good. —

Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024 Zawahiri’s public statements betray a pedantic tone, an overbearing manner, and impatience with critics. —

Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2019 Thomas was both more romantic and more pedantic than his son had imagined. —

Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pedantic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pedantic

Adjective

Hudson’s bandmates—the guitarist Robbie Robertson, the drummer Levon Helm, the bassist Rick Danko, and the pianist and multi-instrumentalist Richard Manuel—often described him as scholarly, nimble, and discerning, a professor type at loose in a scene dominated by beautiful buffoons.

— Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
Laymon said the suffrage monument on the Mall will draw on the diverse perspectives of its board and scholarly advisers, as well as the public.

— Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025