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
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Recent Examples of fussy
Apple, with its cutting-edge designs and perfectionism, was a pretty fussy and demanding client.
—
Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 June 2025
Have a fussy kid who doesn’t want to eat what the rest of the family is ordering?
—Adam Coffey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Their elevated, but not fussy take on Southern food is truly exceptional.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
The compressive fabric and neckline work together to enhance smaller busts, while the stretchy material allows for all-day wear without feeling fussy or poking at the skin.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 June 2025
Have a fussy kid who doesn’t want to eat what the rest of the family is ordering?
—Adam Coffey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Their elevated, but not fussy take on Southern food is truly exceptional.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
The compressive fabric and neckline work together to enhance smaller busts, while the stretchy material allows for all-day wear without feeling fussy or poking at the skin.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
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But the road to telling that story began with a restless boy in a quiet town, one who found escape not on the water, but in the light of screens both big and small, captivated by Steven Spielberg’s work and the classic soap opera Guiding Light.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
19 June 2025
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Meanwhile, the restless Seonwoo smells a vile stench from the apartment below where a lonely woman lives, and investigates.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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But momentum — a finicky word this time of year — swung massively in their favour in the third period of Game 4.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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Star Wars fans can be a finicky bunch, but Tony Gilroy has been fearless, much like the series creator George Lucas, in delivering to them.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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For most, wealth results from years of hard work, careful planning, and disciplined saving.—
Georgette Virgo,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
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However, be careful of blurring the distinction between professional and personal relationships.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Princess Eugenie’s dress included ornate cutouts, particularly on the skirt, which featured feminine motifs like flowers and bows intricately designed with symmetry on the linen fabric.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
26 June 2025
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Coffered wood ceilings, intricate crown moldings, detailed light fixtures, and ornate ceiling details can be seen in nearly every room of the house.—
Emma Reynolds,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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But a new wrench is thrown into the works in the form of an irritable downstairs neighbor.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
27 June 2025
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And getting swept at home by a losing club, the Miami Marlins, would make anyone a tad irritable and hypersensitive.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Cherry laurel isn't super picky and will tolerate dry, poor, and alkaline soils, salt, as well as heavy pruning.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
10 June 2025
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For younger children or more picky eaters, start with something simple and approachable, like steaming edamame (young soybeans) or adding black beans to a cheesy quesadilla.—
Dr. Kelly Fradin,
CNBC,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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After a year and a half, Baltusrol Golf Club’s Upper Course has been reborn through a meticulous $23 million restoration project overseen by golf architect Gil Hanse, one of the hottest names in the design game.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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The Swiss watchmaker released a new Polaris this month, with a handsome ocean gray dial that was handcrafted via a complex process involving 35 layers of lacquer, three different finishes, and meticulous polishing.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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But with Wirtz, there was suddenly an effort not to do that; the media got nervous about calling it a record.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Watching his son evolve from a 4-star recruit out of Columbus High School in Miami to an eventual first-round pick out of Michigan State, Richardson doesn’t get too nervous or overly excited when Jase is on the court.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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