PUNCTILIOUS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

punctilious

adjective

ˌpəŋk-ˈti-lē-əs

Definition of punctilious next

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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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctilious

Adjective

Photo : Shawn O'Connor The formal dining room seats up to 20.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025
The assassination was set to take place during the formal State Opening of England’s Parliament on November 5, 1605, an event laden with political significance that would be attended by most of the nation’s influential leaders.

— Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025