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Definitions

by the book

ADJECTIVE
dead-on
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accurate precise
WEAK
absolutely right dead-center definite direct exact on the button on the mark on the money on the nose pinpoint to the point unerring very accurate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless false inaccurate questionable
ADJECTIVE
exacting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
harsh imperious onerous painstaking precise rigid rigorous strict stringent
STRONG
taxing trying
WEAK
burdensome careful critical difficult exigent finicky fussy grievous hard hypercritical nit-picking oppressive particular persnickety picky severe stern tough unsparing weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless easy easygoing flexible inexact lenient loose mild soft tolerant yielding
WEAK
giving lending
ADJECTIVE
fair and square
Synonyms
WEAK
aboveboard honest honest and aboveboard impartial just straightforward
ADJECTIVE
methodic
Synonyms
WEAK
all together analytical businesslike by the numbers careful cut-and-dried deliberate disciplined efficient exact fixed framed in a groove logical methodized meticulous neat ordered orderly painstaking planned regular scrupulous set-up structured systematic systematical tidy together well-regulated
ADJECTIVE
methodical/methodic
Synonyms
WEAK
all together analytical businesslike by the numbers careful cut-and-dried deliberate disciplined efficient exact fixed framed in a groove logical methodized meticulous neat ordered orderly painstaking planned regular scrupulous set-up structured systematic tidy together well-regulated
Antonyms
WEAK
confused disorderly disorganized imprecise unmethodical/unmethodic
ADJECTIVE
painstaking
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assiduous careful conscientious diligent earnest exacting scrupulous strenuous
STRONG
detail-oriented
WEAK
by the numbers conscionable exact finicky fussbudget fussy hard-working heedful industrious particular persevering persnickety picky punctilious punctual sedulous stickler thoroughgoing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless lazy lethargic negligent thoughtless uncareful unconcerned unenthusiastic unscrupulous
WEAK
easy half-baked half-done unmindful unthorough
ADJECTIVE
proper
Synonyms
STRONGEST
correct moral polite precise respectable
WEAK
becoming befitting by the numbers comely comme il faut conforming de rigueur decorous demure genteel in line kosher nice priggish prim prissy prudish punctilious puritanical refined right seemly solid square stone straight strait-laced stuffy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad corrupt dishonest imprecise inaccurate inexact
WEAK
crass crude general improper incorrect misbehaving objectionable substandard unacceptable unconventional unsuitable
ADJECTIVE
stern
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flinty grim hard-nosed harsh rigid steely strict tough
STRONG
ascetic astringent bitter forbidding rough
WEAK
austere bullheaded cruel disciplinary dyed-in-the-wool frowning hang-tough hard hard-boiled hard-core hard-line hard-shell hardheaded implacable inexorable inflexible mortified mulish relentless rigorous severe stiff-necked stubborn unrelenting unsparing unyielding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy flexible gentle kind lenient nice soft yielding
STRONG
bland mild
WEAK
cheerful funny light smiling tolerant
ADJECTIVE
stringent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
binding demanding draconian exacting forceful harsh inflexible ironclad rigorous severe stiff strict tough
WEAK
acrimonious brick-wall by the numbers compelling confining convincing dead set on drawing dyed-in-the-wool hard hard-nosed iron-fisted picky poignant powerful rough set unpermissive valid
Antonyms
STRONGEST
amenable calm easy easygoing facile flexible gentle kind lenient mild nice pliable pliant soft weak willing yielding
WEAK
inexact tolerant
ADJECTIVE
systematical
Synonyms
WEAK
all together analytical businesslike by the numbers careful cut-and-dried deliberate disciplined efficient exact fixed framed in a groove logical methodic methodized meticulous neat ordered orderly painstaking planned regular scrupulous set-up structured systematic tidy together well-regulated
ADVERB
by the numbers
Synonyms
WEAK
according to Hoyle according to the highest authority gospel in a systematic manner indisputable
NOUN
according to Hoyle
Synonyms
WEAK
according to regulation according to rule as it should be by the numbers gospel indisputable proper
NOUN
form
Synonyms
STRONGEST
behavior fashion law manner method mode practice process regulation rule style way
STRONG
canon ceremonial channels conduct convention custom decorum etiquette formality habit layout manners precept proceeding propriety protocol rite ritual ropes setup usage
WEAK
by the numbers convenance done thing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
lawlessness
STRONG
bad manners impropriety
WEAK
disarrangement disorganization shapelessness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But if you do this, you must do it right—professionally, with restraint, by the book, in the full spirit of the law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the team doctors, saying everything was "done by the book".

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

“EVERY ‘I’ was dotted and ‘t’ was crossed 1000% by the book without exception.”

From Salon • Sep. 6, 2025

And I know that even if something like that were to take place, we’re going to do everything by the book, and we’re going to maximize that to the best of our ability.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

Then, if you have any liking for the road, go over the ground covered by the book, spending a few days in Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson