Which word means 'Too concerned with formal rules'?

• A. Meticulous
• B. Exacting
• C. Strict
• D. Pedantic

Answer: (D)

Pedantic describes someone who is overly concerned with formal rules and tiny details, often nitpicking about correctness. That pejorative sense of fussiness about rules and formality is exactly what’s meant by “Too concerned with formal rules,” so this term fits best. The other words relate to detail and standards but don’t carry the same emphasis on rule-focused nitpicking: meticulous means careful and precise (often positive), exacting implies high standards or demands (not necessarily about formal rule-following), and strict denotes rigid adherence to rules (more about enforcement than the anxious preoccupation with minutiae).