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
But judging asylum claims on this standard has often been an exhaustive, slow and punctilious process, ascertaining the persecutor’s intent, verifying the claimant’s beliefs or identity at the root of the persecution and so on.
—
Bill Frelick, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
Saban was different from Carroll, more punctilious but no less competitive or curious about defenses, with an unusually keen eye for identifying talent.
—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
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
Bill Frelick, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
Saban was different from Carroll, more punctilious but no less competitive or curious about defenses, with an unusually keen eye for identifying talent.
—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
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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Ailsa Craig granite is so well-suited for curling that the Olympics have never used any other kind of granite in formal competition.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, an Ohio State committee is reviewing a second formal request to remove Wexner’s name from multiple campus buildings, including the football team’s practice facility.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lee Martino’s choreography, like the production as a whole, is at its best when observing decorous constraints.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The annual revision is a standard BLS procedure that helps correct sampling and modeling errors.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Without the correct attributes — competitiveness, mindset, IQ, internal drive — Donovan fears a young player could flounder in Chicago.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
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More convincing in the film is cinematographer Talant Akynbekov’s observant, almost ceremonious lensing of carpet weaving, as well as of the beats of everyday life, sometimes accompanied by the traditional tunes villagers hum.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The potluck is chaotic but really nice.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
11 Feb. 2026
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And if there is a next step, that would be nice.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hunting groups say this is an overestimation of deer numbers, and that the organization has never had a proper management plan.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
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Darn Tough Hiker Merino Wool Crew Socks Whether hot or cold, the proper cushioned sock can help regulate temperature in shoes and keep your feet extra comfortable.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Queen Emma was the first to wear the sapphire tiara in official portraits and solemn ceremonies, setting a precedent that her successors respected.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, who may reflect, fast and attend special church services.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctilious. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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