Definitions

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.

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

An exhibition at the Met highlights the art of Gothic drawings—remarkably meticulous designs for a range of astonishing European structures.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Det Supt Stacey Murray, who is leading the investigation for Norfolk Police, said: "I want to reassure everyone that we are being meticulous in our approach to this investigation."

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Seurat thinks of his work as more rigorous and meticulous than Impressionism.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Vocabulary lists containing meticulous

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1

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List 2

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