Pedantic

Characterized by an excessive concern with minor details and rules, often to the detriment of the overall understanding or appreciation of a subject. A pedantic person typically places a strong emphasis on strict adherence to formal rules and conventions, sometimes appearing overly precise or fussy in their communication and behavior. They may display an undue fondness for displaying their knowledge, often correcting others, and focusing on the minutiae rather than the broader context. This behavior can make them seem annoying, pretentious, or out of touch with practical realities. The term often implies a lack of common sense or flexibility. It’s about prioritizing technical accuracy and rigid adherence to rules over clarity, context, and the overall impact of communication or action. pedantic tendencies can be applied to language, art, history, and many other fields.

Pedantic meaning with examples

• During the history lecture, the professor's pedantic interruptions to correct students on the exact dates and precise spellings, even when the main point was clear, made it difficult to follow the central narrative. The students felt he was more interested in displaying his historical precision than imparting a genuine understanding of the events discussed.
• The critic’s review of the film was overwhelmingly pedantic. Instead of commenting on the emotional impact or the artistic merits, he obsessively dissected minor plot holes and technical inconsistencies, ignoring the bigger picture of the movie’s success and appeal.
• The software engineer's pedantic insistence on perfectly adhering to coding standards, even when it delayed the project and didn’t measurably improve functionality, frustrated the development team and hampered their ability to meet deadlines. The emphasis was on form over function.
• Her pedantic approach to grammar during casual conversations was irritating. While grammatically accurate, it made her sound stuffy and formal, and overshadowed the meaning of the words she said. Friends felt hesitant to speak freely around her, fearing corrections.
• Instead of enjoying the natural beauty, the bird watcher’s pedantic focus on identifying every single species by its Latin name and precise plumage markings made the outing tedious for the companions, who were seeking a relaxing experience.