stickler

noun

stick·​ler ˈsti-k(ə-)lər How to pronounce stickler (audio)
1
: one who insists on exactness or completeness in the observance of something
a stickler for the rules
2
: something that baffles or puzzles : poser

Examples of stickler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
My mom was a stickler for whole foods, locally sourced and nutrient-dense. Footwear News, 20 May 2025 Not usually a stickler for this sort of thing, but Phoebe’s phone doesn’t have a passcode. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 Gilbert & Sullivan sticklers might need about 20 minutes to fall under the spell of Roundabout’s Pirates! Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025 Some people rely on points and miles, while others are sticklers about booking in advance or researching differential deals on sites like Groupon. Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stickler

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stickler was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Stickler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stickler. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

stickler

noun
stick·​ler ˈstik-(ə-)lər How to pronounce stickler (audio)
1
: a person who insists on exactness or completeness in the observance of something
a stickler for the rules
2
: something that baffles or puzzles

More from Merriam-Webster on stickler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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