meticulous
Obsessively detail-oriented
Meticulous describes extreme attention to detail and precision.
A meticulous person notices small things others miss and takes care to get everything exactly right: meticulous record-keeping, a meticulous craftsman.
The word carries approval—unlike fussy or nitpicky, meticulous suggests the attention is warranted and produces quality results.
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- fine-grainedComposed of minute particles
- granularMade of tiny particles
- elaborateComplex and detailed
complex · refined · subtle · sophisticated · minute · particularized · itemized · specified
Perfectly correct, no deviation
- accurateConforming to fact
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- exactingDemanding great care
- rigorousExtremely thorough and careful
strict · punctilious · correct · detailed · specific · explicit · definite · unambiguous
Excessively attentive to detail
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- fussyExcessively particular
- persnicketyExcessively concerned with details
- nitpickyOverly concerned with minutiae
pedantic · exacting · demanding · uncompromising · hypercritical · overcritical · particular · choosy
Paying close notice
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- mindfulConsciously attentive
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
cautious · prudent · judicious · discerning · wary · heedful · circumspect · deliberate
Covering all possibilities
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
- in-depthThoroughly and comprehensively detailed
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- assiduousShowing careful persistent effort
sedulous · diligent · complete · extensive · all-encompassing · sweeping · intensive · rigorous
Organized and deliberate
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- organizedSystematically arranged
- neatOrderly, or undiluted
- tidyFree from clutter
orderly · structured · arranged · regimented · regulated · disciplined · coordinated · planned
Thorough and principled
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- uprightVertical or morally sound
honest · ethical · trustworthy · dutiful · reliable · incorruptible · fair-minded · righteous
intricate
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- fine-grainedComposed of minute particles
- granularMade of tiny particles
elaborate · complex · refined · subtle · sophisticated · minute · particularized · itemized · specified · annotated
exact
Perfectly correct, no deviation
rigorous · strict · punctilious · correct · detailed · specific · explicit · definite · unambiguous · clear-cut
fastidious
Excessively attentive to detail
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- fussyExcessively particular
- persnicketyExcessively concerned with details
nitpicky · pedantic · exacting · demanding · uncompromising · hypercritical · overcritical · particular · choosy · picky
attentive
Paying close notice
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- mindfulConsciously attentive
vigilant · cautious · prudent · judicious · discerning · wary · heedful · circumspect · deliberate · measured
exhaustive
Covering all possibilities
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
- in-depthThoroughly and comprehensively detailed
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
assiduous · sedulous · diligent · complete · extensive · all-encompassing · sweeping · intensive · rigorous · searching
methodical
Organized and deliberate
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- organizedSystematically arranged
- neatOrderly, or undiluted
tidy · orderly · structured · arranged · regimented · regulated · disciplined · coordinated · planned · sequential
scrupulous
Thorough and principled
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- honorableHaving high moral standards
upright · honest · ethical · trustworthy · dutiful · reliable · incorruptible · fair-minded · righteous · virtuous
- Fussy traitsfussy, nitpicking, finicky, persnickety, pernickety
- cleanlinessclean, cleanliness, clean up, dirty, neatness
- accuracyaccurate, precise, exact, correct, right
- craftsmanshiphandcrafted, craft, handiwork, stitching, welding
- qualityquality, excellence, grade, caliber, superior
- SAT vocabularyaesthetic, ambiguous, benevolent, candid, concise
meticulouscareless
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
negligent · neglectful · slovenly · inattentive · reckless