meticulous

[muh-tik-yuh-luhs] / məˈtɪk yə ləs /

ADJECTIVE

detailed, perfectionist

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accurate cautious conscientious exact fastidious fussy painstaking precise scrupulous strict thorough

STRONG

detail-oriented

WEAK

conscionable crossing the t's dotting the i's heedful microscopic nitpicking particular persnickety picky punctilious punctual stickling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless false imprecise inaccurate indefinite inexact negligent questionable thoughtless uncareful uncritical undemanding unscrupulous

WEAK

messy sloppy undetailed

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.

He said a "meticulous" and "systematic" search began after the initial emergency response, with teams dividing the crash site into separate zones.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Steve Capus, a veteran network producer who worked with Pelley at the “CBS Evening News,” said his former colleague was built for the meticulous work that goes into every “60 Minutes” segment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

I just had my meticulous records that I'd been keeping.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Because of the meticulous drafting technique, there is little room for individual expression in the drawing.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

After a few tense minutes, I began the long, meticulous process of preparing and doping a set of blue emitters.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Vocabulary lists containing meticulous

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

List 2

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!