punctilious
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “punctilious” mean?
adjective.showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
SAT Usage
this word often appears in passages related to social etiquette, formal conduct, or historical contexts emphasizing discipline and decorum. It implies not just attention to detail, but an almost obsessive or meticulous adherence to rules and propriety, setting it apart from similar words like "meticulous," which may not carry the same connotation of propriety and correctness.
Common Confusions
Punctilious implies an obsessive adherence to social rules and propriety, while meticulous usually suggests carefulness and attention to detail without the same emphasis on formal correctness.
Do not choose punctilious if the context emphasizes carelessness or indifference rather than showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
Example Sentences
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With a punctilious slap of the gloves, the duel was now inevitable.