1. strictly adhering to law or rules, often in a rigid or overly technical way
2. characterized by excessive concern with legal technicalities rather than the spirit of the law
Usage: often disapproving

Examples

• The judge criticized the lawyer’s legalistic interpretation of the contract.
• Her legalistic approach to the rules made it difficult to find a compromise.
• The company’s legalistic response avoided addressing the real concerns.
• He took a legalistic view of the policy, ignoring its intended purpose.
• The legalistic language in the document was hard to understand.
• Critics called the decision overly legalistic and lacking common sense.