Synonyms of meticulous
52 similar words · 30 opposite words
Another word for meticulous is fastidious. Other synonyms of meticulous are scrupulous, particular, punctilious, letter-perfect and in-depth. The opposite of meticulous is surface-level.
Synonyms and similar words for meticulous
adjectiveCharacterized by very precise, conscientious attention to details.
- painstakingCarefully attentive to details; studious; diligent in performing a process or procedure.
- fastidiousExcessively particular, demanding, or fussy about details, especially about tidiness and cleanliness.
adjectiveTimid, fearful, overly cautious.
- alert
- attentive
- carefulConscientious and painstaking; meticulous.
- cautiousUsing or exercising caution; careful; tentative.
- canny
- charyCareful, cautious, shy, wary.
- circumspectCarefully aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent.
- conservative
- deliberateFormed with deliberation; carefully considered; not sudden or rash.
- discreet
- guarded
- heedful
- heedyHeedful; attentive.
- hesitantTending to hesitate, wait, or proceed with caution or reservation.
- mindful
- prudentSagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct.
- reckfulFull of careful heed or attention; careful; cautious.
- safe
- sensible
- shy
- slow
- tentative
- timidLacking in courage or confidence.
- timorous
- well-advisedBenefiting from careful prior advice or counsel.
- wary
- cautelous obsolete
adjectiveMore synonyms
- accurate
- surgical
- comprehensiveBroadly or completely covering; including a large proportion of something.
- solicitous
- conscientious
- exhaustive
- in-depthThorough; comprehensive.
- intensive
- letter-perfectExactly correct, correct in every letter; word-perfect.
- minute
- particularOf a person, concerned with, or attentive to, details; fastidious.
- polished
- precise
- punctiliousStrictly attentive to detail; meticulous or fastidious, particularly to codes or conventions.
- rigorous
- root and branchTotal, thorough, sweeping, complete, radical, drastic.
- scrupulousExactly and carefully conducted.
- scrutinousThorough, careful, strict.
- sedulous
- strict
- thorough
- tight
- groundly archaicFirmly grounded; solid; of education: complete, thorough, well-grounded.
Opposite of meticulous
adjectiveCharacterized by very precise, conscientious attention to details.
adjectiveTimid, fearful, overly cautious.
- aggressive
- carefreeWithout cares or worries; free of concern or worries; without difficulty.
- cursory
- derelict US
- heedlessUnaware; without noticing; careless; inattentive.
- irregardlessIrrespective, regardless.
- irrespective
- lax
- incautiousCareless, reckless, not exercising proper caution.
- neglectfulTending to neglect; failing to take care of matters which require attention; forgetful.
- negligent
- reckless
- regardless
- remiss
- slack
- slovenly
- slipshod
- unfaithful
- lash obsolete
adjectiveMore antonyms
- automatic
- haphazardRandom; chaotic; incomplete; not thorough, constant, or consistent.
- perfunctory
- superficial
- surface-levelSynonym of superficial.
- token
- unthinking
- thoughtless
Meaning of meticulous
- adjective Characterized by very precise, conscientious attention to details.
- adjective Timid, fearful, overly cautious.
meticulous in other languages
Questions about synonyms of meticulous
- What is another word for meticulous?
- Meticulous has 52 synonyms on Word.ws, such as fastidious, scrupulous, particular, punctilious, letter-perfect, in-depth, comprehensive and painstaking.
- What is the opposite of meticulous?
- The opposite of meticulous is surface-level. Other antonyms of meticulous are haphazard and slapdash.
- What does meticulous mean?
- Meticulous means characterized by very precise, conscientious attention to details.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: meticulous (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of meticulous.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/meticulous. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.