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perfectionism

[per-fek-shuh-niz-uhm] / pərˈfɛk ʃəˌnɪz əm /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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His perfectionism was his best friend and worst enemy: One source remembers him playing to a crowd of 60,000 and receiving a standing ovation, only to come off stage and say, “I suck.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 30, 2026

Legendary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was known for brutal honesty and unyielding perfectionism that led to culture-changing devices.

From Barron's Apr. 21, 2026

Instead, Kutcher says the real driver in perfectionism is the "everyone being on camera all the time".

From BBC Jan. 21, 2026

“There’s a perfectionism to her that you don’t see because it’s so invisible and seamless by the time she’s performing. You can feel the precision and it’s impressive because it doesn’t ever seem hard.”

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 15, 2026

In the theater, passion and perfectionism and insistence on aesthetic standards are prized qualities, not unruly and unwelcome traits.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove




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