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formalistic

ADJECTIVE
academic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abstract hypothetical theoretical
STRONG
closet
WEAK
conjectural notional speculative
Antonyms
STRONGEST
factual proven real
WEAK
ignorant ordinary plain practical simple untaught
ADJECTIVE
formal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
academic ceremonial explicit legal precise proper solemn strict
STRONG
express official regular ritual set
WEAK
approved ceremonialistic ceremonious confirmed conventional decorous directed fixed lawful methodical prescribed pro forma punctilious rigid ritualistic stately stereotyped stereotypical systematic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous inaccurate indefinite ordinary
WEAK
customary disorderly informal normal relaxed unaffected
ADJECTIVE
hypothetic
Synonyms
WEAK
abstract academic analytical as a premise assumed codified conjectural contingent formularized general hypothetical ideal idealized ideational ideological imaginative impractical in the abstract in theory instanced intelle
ADJECTIVE
inkhorn
Synonyms
WEAK
abstruse academic arid bookish didactic doctrinaire donnish dry dull egotistic erudite formal fussy hairsplitting learned literary nit-picking ostentatious overnice particular pedagogic pedantical pompous priggish punctilious scholastic schoolish sententious stilted
ADJECTIVE
pedantical
Synonyms
WEAK
abstruse academic arid bookish didactic doctrinaire donnish dry dull egotistic erudite formal fussy hairsplitting inkhorn learned literary nit-picking ostentatious overnice particular pedagogic pompous priggish punctilious scholastic schoolish sententious stilted
ADJECTIVE
punctilious
Synonyms
WEAK
ceremonious conscientious conscionable conventional exact formal fussy good eye heedful meticulous nice observant overconscientious overscrupulous painstaking particular persnickety precise proper punctual right on scrupulous strict
Antonyms
WEAK
careless easygoing informal uncaring
ADJECTIVE
ritualistic
Synonyms
WEAK
ceremonial conventional established reverent
ADJECTIVE
structural
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anatomical architectural basic constitutional skeletal
WEAK
anatomic constructural formational formative organic tectonic
ADJECTIVE
theoretic
Synonyms
WEAK
abstract academic analytical as a premise assumed codified conjectural contingent formularized general hypothetic hypothetical ideal idealized ideational ideological imaginative impractical in the abstract in theory instanced intellectual logical metaphysical notional on paper pedantic philosophical postulated presumed problematical pure quixotic speculative suppositional tentative transcendent transcendental unearthly unproved unsubstantiated vague
ADJECTIVE
theoretical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abstract academic analytical imaginative intellectual logical metaphysical philosophical speculative vague
WEAK
as a premise assumed codified conjectural contingent formularized general ideal idealized ideational ideological impractical in the abstract in theory instanced notional on paper pedantic postulated presumed problematical pure quixotic suppositional tentative transcendent transcendental unearthly unproved unsubstantiated
Antonyms
STRONGEST
concrete ignorant illogical material objective physical real simple
WEAK
certain definite factual proven

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.

The argument advanced by the IRS is a formalistic one that results in an absurdity: Cryptocurrency wasn’t explicitly included in the list of items that meet the “readily valued property” exemption to the appraisal rules.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Kabalevsky succumbed to Stalin’s decrees against formalistic art, and he has never been taken seriously in the West.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2025

As a filmmaker, Hogg is a seemingly incongruous blend of free-flowing and formalistic.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 27, 2021

The culture minister’s committee recommended in 2020 that the “balance” test be abandoned and called for a more empathetic approach, saying that the restitutions committee needed to become less formalistic in its responses to claims.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2021

There is still, compared with Beethoven, a huge amount of formalistic padding; but so far as he dared and could, he was loading his rifts with ore.

From Haydn by Runciman, John F.

Vocabulary lists containing formalistic

"Hamlet's Dull Revenge," Vocabulary from the literary criticism

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