She's very punctilious about grammar. old-money aristocrats with a punctilious sense of propriety

Recent Examples on the Web

His use of evidence, absorbed from vast archival sources and hundreds of interviews, is punctilious, his judgments measured, his wit dry and sympathetic, his prose classically balanced. Benjamin Schwarz, New York Times, "Seeing Margaret Thatcher Whole," 12 Nov. 2019

Random House Copy editors, the unsung heroes of newsrooms everywhere, finally get their due in Random House copy chief Benjamin Dreyer’s droll but punctilious book. Rachel King, Fortune, "The 10 Best Business Books of 2019," 1 Dec. 2019

Once a devoted, punctilious maid in various upper-class households, Ellen Bunting now misses the security of her old life. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, "What if you saw something suspicious and did nothing? ‘The Lodger’ posits a consequence.," 21 Aug. 2019

It’s more money for a more precise and punctilious sound that should entice the pros and enthusiasts while still pleasing casual listeners as well. Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Fender Ten 5 review: all about that treble," 9 July 2019

Charitable work can be very boring, especially when recounted in punctilious detail. Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, "‘The Duchess’ Review: How to Survive a Royal Romance," 17 May 2018

Her poise is the result of a loving yet punctilious upbringing by parents determined that their fame and its accompanying perks were not going to mollycoddle their two children. Michael Callahan, Town & Country, "Show Business Royalty Carys Zeta Douglas Is Ready for Her Close Up," 1 Aug. 2018

Rather, the director and his lead actor, partners in life and art, have a punctilious approach where language is everything. Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, "Review: A ‘King Lear’ in Which You Feel for All the Daughters," 12 Apr. 2018

For a punctilious approach to plants on pergolas, allow the plants to grow a few, rather than just two, permanent cordons. The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Kiwis In Your Backyard," 6 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'punctilious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.