Clerkish is a word that typically carries negative connotations, often denoting someone as dull, bureaucratic, and overly focused on trivial details. Synonyms for clerkish include pedantic, tedious, drab, humdrum, and prosaic. These words all point to someone who lacks creativity or spontaneity and who prioritizes following the rules over any kind of original thinking. Other synonyms for clerkish may include plodding, unimaginative, or rote, all of which suggest a person who is more concerned with following a strict set of procedures than with any kind of innovation or outside-the-box thinking. Overall, clerkish is a word used to describe someone who is narrow-minded and overly focused on procedural details at the expense of any broader perspective.