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GRE vocabulary

pedantic

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore P words

excessively concerned with formal rules and trivial detail

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In a sentence

Pedantic in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing pedantic in a sentence.

His pedantic corrections of grammar derailed every meeting.

His footnotes were so pedantic that they buried the central insight under qualifications.

Synonyms
punctiliousfussyhairsplittingbookish
Antonyms
casualinformalbroad-minded

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

Once a blank supporter of the policy, the governor now denounces it at every opportunity, embarrassed that she ever endorsed it.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “pedantic” well

Pedantic is always pejorative, mocking an obsession with formal correctness and minor detail.

Common questions

Questions about “pedantic”

Pedantic (adjective) means excessively concerned with formal rules and trivial detail
Here is pedantic used in an example sentence: "His pedantic corrections of grammar derailed every meeting." Another example: "His footnotes were so pedantic that they buried the central insight under qualifications."
Common synonyms for pedantic include punctilious, fussy, hairsplitting, bookish.
Antonyms of pedantic include casual, informal, broad-minded.
Pair pedantic with punctilious, fussy, hairsplitting, and bookish in Sentence Equivalence, opposing casual, informal, and broad-minded.
Yes. Pedantic is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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