METHODICAL Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

methodical

adjective

mə-ˈthä-di-kəl

variants also methodic

Definition of methodical

as in systematic

following a set method, arrangement, or pattern a methodical study plan that included lists of points to memorize

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of methodical Company officials characterized the pace as methodical at the outset, followed by an aggressive push toward commercial licensing. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026 That’s when Carr and the Irish offense went to work with a series of methodical and physical drives, responding with a touchdown drive to break the tie and scoring early in the fourth quarter for a 14-point lead. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 That’s when Carr and the Irish offense went to work with a series of methodical and physical drives, leaning on the run in wet conditions to carry the ball right into the heart of the defensive front and consistently move the chains. — Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 Regardless of plotting, Diaz is an unquestionably methodical researcher, no surprise given his academic background. — Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for methodical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for methodical

Adjective

The idea that the absence of private property and systematic inequality automatically removes coercion—which forms the core of the Marxist theory of history—is not proven.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Research to be presented at this year’s NeurIPS conference in Sydney, Australia, demonstrates the benefits of a process for making biological computing more systematic known as an Embodied Neurocomputation Framework.

— Mike McRae October 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of systematic

Adjective

But the court found that the June 2025 protests in Los Angeles were responses to federal immigration enforcement, not part of an organized rebellion.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
An organized cleanup and rebuilding effort accompanied by a public relations campaign intended to restore confidence in the city.

— Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of organized

Adjective

Raad’s subject—war—is likewise highly systematized, yet requires mental gymnastics to justify itself.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
Starboard’s 2026 strategy leans into partnership, culture and experiential momentum, while Harding+ is building a more systematized retail model around emotion, data, and innovation.

— Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Definition of systematized

Browse Nearby Words

method

methodical

methodically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Methodical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/methodical. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of methodical

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes