1
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
predictably, the kids riding in the back were fussy passengers, always asking "Are we there yet?"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finicky
hard to please
cats have a well-deserved reputation for being fussy eaters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in careful
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
a fussy teacher who reads through papers two and even three times before issuing a grade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ornate
elaborately and often excessively decorated
the room, with its rococo furniture and its overabundance of knickknacks, is just too fussy for my taste
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 fussy
Swift was shown spoon-feeding him, tongue in cheek, like a fussy baby in a restaurant.
—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
The tablescape has become a kind of love language, thoughtful but not fussy.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
The strappy design feels polished without being fussy, and the black-and-white colorway offers a refreshing alternative to the usual neutrals while remaining surprisingly versatile.
—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Frances Bavier was one of the show’s anchors as the warm, ever-so-slightly fussy Aunt Bee.
—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
The tablescape has become a kind of love language, thoughtful but not fussy.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
The strappy design feels polished without being fussy, and the black-and-white colorway offers a refreshing alternative to the usual neutrals while remaining surprisingly versatile.
—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Frances Bavier was one of the show’s anchors as the warm, ever-so-slightly fussy Aunt Bee.
—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
-
Local legends speak of restless spirits, mysterious voices, and supernatural activity, although many claims are impossible to verify.
-
James Boyard, a Haitian police officer and security expert, was abducted Thursday morning in Raimbol in the Bourdon neighborhood as the family traveled through the capital to see a doctor after a restless night caring for their sick daughter.
Adjective
-
Select a compact cultivar, such as ‘Kleim's Hardy' or ‘Crown Jewel', for growing in small spaces or containers, and be aware that these finicky shrubs might not be the best choice for beginner gardeners.
-
Hall’s dexterity with finicky varietals is on full display with his entry level Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (both civilly priced at $40 and $45 respectively).
Adjective
-
Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess.
-
Ultimately, the widespread adoption of AI for mental health constitutes a global experiment with both potential benefits and serious downsides that require careful management.
Adjective
-
Hand engraving and ornate craftsmanship have also become more desirable as consumers gravitate toward pieces that feel handmade and deeply personal.
-
The cathedral, its peaceful cloister, and its ornate crypt are also worth a visit.
Adjective
-
Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
-
They can be withdrawn or irritable.
Adjective
-
Swift showed up in a video clip at the end of the show that circled back to earlier discussion about Kelce’s picky eating proclivities.
-
Rosewood is notoriously picky about locations, and its first debut winter resort is a testament to that.
Adjective
-
Lasdun, by contrast, insists on delivering a meticulous retelling of the Murdaugh case, complete with byzantine subplots involving the suspicious death of the family’s housekeeper and the murder of another local teenager.
-
Sketches, photographs lost in a fire Norman Rockwell was known for using meticulous detail to draw out a range of human emotions in his vignettes of everyday life.
Adjective
-
Oprah selected it for her book club; at her compound in Montecito, Whitehead was so nervous that her staff insisted on blow-drying the damp patches of his dress shirt before they were introduced.
-
The low unemployment rate had made many economists nervous, including some on the Fed.
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
