stickler
- a person who insists on something unyieldingly (usually followed by for): a stickler for ceremony.
- any puzzling or difficult problem.
Origin of stickler
Synonyms for stickler
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for stickler
taskmaster, nitpicker, disciplinarian, fanatic, enforcer, riddle, mystery, paradox, enigma, twister, stumper, teaser, zealot, contender, haggler, higglerExamples from the Web for stickler
Contemporary Examples of stickler
Her grammar is fine—Ann is a stickler for grammar—and her anecdotes make sense in that they have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Maybe she's a cop who is a stickler for the rules because she's trying to impress the men upstairs.
Historical Examples of stickler
This fairy was a stickler for the correct use of every word.
Welsh Fairy TalesWilliam Elliott Griffis
But, remember this, I'm under a general who's a stickler for the book, so be careful.
A Yankee Flier Over BerlinAl Avery
Elpaso was notoriously 54 a stickler for a square deal at cards.
Nan of Music MountainFrank H. Spearman
This was a strenuous day's work, particularly if the star was a stickler.
Watch Yourself Go ByAl. G. Field
Gerald was a stickler for correct Latin grammar; he is great on “howlers.”
Medival WalesA. G. Little
stickler
- (usually foll by for) a person who makes insistent demandsa stickler for accuracy
- a problem or puzzlethe investigation proved to be a stickler
Word Origin and History for stickler
1530s, "moderator, umpire," from stickle "mediate" (1520s), probably a frequentative of Middle English stihen "to arrange, place," from Old English stihan "to arrange order," which is cognate with Middle Dutch stichten, German stiften "to found, establish," probably from Proto-Germanic *stihtan "to place on a step or base," from PIE root *steigh- "to stride, step, rise" (see stair). Meaning "person who contends or insists stubbornly" is first recorded 1640s.