methodical

[muh-thod-i-kuhl]

See more synonyms for methodical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

performed, disposed, or acting in a systematic way; systematic; orderly: a methodical person.
painstaking, especially slow and careful; deliberate.

Also me·thod·ic.

Origin of methodical

1560–70; methodic (< Latin methodic(us) < Greek methodikós; see method, -ic) + -al¹

Related formsme·thod·i·cal·ly, adverbme·thod·i·cal·ness, nounan·ti·me·thod·ic, adjectivean·ti·me·thod·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·me·thod·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·me·thod·i·cal·ness, nounnon·me·thod·ic, adjectivenon·me·thod·i·cal, adjectivenon·me·thod·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·me·thod·i·cal·ness, nounpre·me·thod·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-me·thod·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-me·thod·i·cal·ly, adverbun·me·thod·ic, adjectiveun·me·thod·i·cal, adjectiveun·me·thod·i·cal·ly, adverbun·me·thod·i·cal·ness, noun

Synonyms

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1. precise. See orderly.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for methodical

Contemporary Examples

Far from a rant, her tone throughout is cool and methodical, and her critiques are couched more in sorrow than in anger.
Was Reporter Sharyl Attkisson Too Right-Wing for CBS?
Lloyd Grove
October 29, 2014
The opening scene of the film illustrates the methodical and gruesome nature of the abuses.
Whistleblower Exposes India’s Murderous Cops
Simran Jeet Singh
May 25, 2014
The yellow ticking clock that punctuates every episode of 24 is simultaneously bombastic, methodical, menacing, and relentless.
‘Live Another Day’ Review: Can Jack Bauer Save ‘24’ From Itself?
Jason Lynch
May 5, 2014
If Washington is to adopt a tougher stance toward Beijing, it needs a lot of methodical calculation.
Time to Get Tough With China?
Leslie H. Gelb
December 8, 2013
It was thorough and methodical, like a medical examination: a routine in which a professional inspects the body of a patient.
Tilda Swinton and Oliver Saillard Perform the Creation of Fashion in ‘Eternity Dress’
Sarah Moroz
November 21, 2013

Historical Examples

Do you think your habits are as precise and methodical as—shall I say as mine are?
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
It had been all the better for him had he learnt to be methodical with his money.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
The actions of the mothers were as methodical as well trained nurses.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
The daily routine of the mission station is most methodical.
The Long Labrador Trail
Dillon Wallace
Realize it thoroughly: it is a methodical not an accidental world.
Pax Vobiscum
Henry Drummond

British Dictionary definitions for methodical

methodical

less commonly methodic

adjective

characterized by method or orderliness; systematic

Derived Formsmethodically, adverbmethodicalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for methodical

adj.

1560s, with -al (1) and methodic (1540s), from Middle French methodique, from Late Latin methodicus, from Greek methodikos, from methodos (see method). Related: Methodically.

methodical

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}methodical

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for methodical

Contemporary Examples

Far from a rant, her tone throughout is cool and methodical, and her critiques are couched more in sorrow than in anger.

The opening scene of the film illustrates the methodical and gruesome nature of the abuses.

The yellow ticking clock that punctuates every episode of 24 is simultaneously bombastic, methodical, menacing, and relentless.

If Washington is to adopt a tougher stance toward Beijing, it needs a lot of methodical calculation.

It was thorough and methodical, like a medical examination: a routine in which a professional inspects the body of a patient.

Historical Examples

Do you think your habits are as precise and methodical as—shall I say as mine are?

It had been all the better for him had he learnt to be methodical with his money.

The actions of the mothers were as methodical as well trained nurses.

The daily routine of the mission station is most methodical.

Realize it thoroughly: it is a methodical not an accidental world.

methodical

less commonly methodic

Word Origin and History for methodical

adj.

Origin of methodical