stickler

as in martinet
a person who believes that something is very important and should be done or followed all the time Her father was a stickler about arriving on time.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stickler Adams, the first Black woman to receive the lieutenant colonel rank, was a stickler for a pristine uniform. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024 Between the lines: When the job market was hot, employers were afraid of losing talent by being sticklers on seemingly minor rules, Erin Grau, cofounder of Charter, a future of work media firm, tells Axios. Emily Peck, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024 Just to show that the designers were sticklers for detail, the official British registration plate reads AU 1 – the same as the Phantom in the movie. David Szondy, New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2024 Not to be a stickler about this sort of thing, but the article came out last night. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stickler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stickler
Noun
  • But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.
    Armond White, National Review, 20 Sep. 2024
  • There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
Noun
  • Both were industrious strivers at work and strict disciplinarians at home.
    Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
  • After three years with John Fox, Pace didn’t need to fully reset the culture inside Halas Hall and bring in an experienced disciplinarian because Fox had helped clean up the mess left behind by the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman administration.
    Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • As the sun joins taskmaster Saturn in Pisces, your eighth house of transformation and catharsis becomes illuminated.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Go From Managing Tasks To Developing People One of the most significant mindset shifts great leaders make is moving from manager as taskmaster to manager as developer.
    Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In Kenya, like in India, roti is interchangeable with chapati (though purists will argue that rotis contain no oil or fat in the dough while a chapati might).
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Baseball purists look away — the human element is slowly being taken out of the game.
    Ryan Morik, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stickler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stickler. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stickler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!