1
as in scholarly
marked by or given to showing knowledge in a showy way
The writing was overly complex and pedantic, which made it nearly impossible to understand for anyone but a specialist. The speech was thoroughly researched and well structured, but too pedantic to appeal to a general audience.
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2
as in boring
causing weariness or lack of interest
I found the author's writing informative but dreadfully pedantic.
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Recent Examples of pedantic
Zawahiri’s public statements betray a pedantic tone, an overbearing manner, and impatience with critics.
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Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2019
Thomas was both more romantic and more pedantic than his son had imagined.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
So ultimately, the remedy for this problem goes beyond pedantic lessons in medical risk data.
—Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024
For the pedantic like myself, this translates to 3,452.33834 regular miles or a numerically pleasing 5,555.99999 km.
—New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pedantic 
Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2019
Thomas was both more romantic and more pedantic than his son had imagined.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
So ultimately, the remedy for this problem goes beyond pedantic lessons in medical risk data.
—Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024
For the pedantic like myself, this translates to 3,452.33834 regular miles or a numerically pleasing 5,555.99999 km.
—New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pedantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pedantic
Adjective
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These research reports and scholarly articles explain how.JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
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Researchers often comb through reams of scholarly works.IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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News to Know Disney buys Fubo On its face, the move might sound like a boring press release.Chris Branch, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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Covering the entertainment business is never boring, and 2025 is already shaping up to be another banger as business models that have been around for decades continue to evolve, erode and unravel.Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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When her friends started getting divorced a few years later, a lot of them didn’t have any money, weren’t financially literate, and felt trapped.Ginger Gentile, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Everett’s Jim is not the caricature often associated with Twain’s portrayal but a literate, introspective man whose intellect and strategic thinking shine through.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Adams may have thought Pierce owed him something for vouching for him, but Pierce was tiring of the pouting and target requests.Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
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Those two references, of course to the surprise endings of Citizen Kane and The Sixth Sense (sorry if that just ruined them for you), were meant as a jaded eye roll to a tiring complaint.Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Therefore, a comprehensive approach to data operations—including intelligent data management and adaptive data platforms—is essential for generating trustworthy insights.Pawan Vadapalli, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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As a mix of two energetic and intelligent breeds, Shepskies require substantial exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For optimal baking, open the containers to check their aroma and if the smell is dull throw it away.Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
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Announcer Kevin Frazier, who missed no chance to remind you that this was Hollywood’s biggest party — as opposed, by implication, to the Oscars and Emmys, chained to their dull academies — chimed in with factoids about presenters and winners, like a wedding DJ working the crowd.Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Unconcerned with trends, the band never broke up or stopped exploring cerebral combinations of metal, classical and art rock.Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
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Motherland, by Julia Ioffe (June 17) Later in 2025 Nowhere Burning, Catriona Ward (October 7) $27 $29 now 7% off After the brilliant, cerebral chills of The House on Needless Street and Looking Glass Sound, Catriona Ward’s Nowhere Burning promises a more candidly monstrous thriller.Vulture Editors, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There are several plot holes, extra scenes clearly included just to boost Sheridan's ego, and the dialogue has become overly preachy and didactic—almost as annoying as Aaron Sorkin's mini-sermons in later seasons of The West Wing, which is saying something.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
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Yet overall, the tone of the curation is hectoring and didactic, informed by humourless identity politics.The Week UK, theweek, 29 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Pedantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pedantic. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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