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
Calm, content and rarely fussy, Emilia draws people in with love, laughter and adorable dance moves.
—
Sydney Cisco, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Kim wore a brown nubuck jacket (a more durable alternative to suede, yet still a bit fussy) with a glossy, orange-red patent leather pencil skirt.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Among design lovers, there’s always the sort that are simply seeking the least-fussy option.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
Some directors are very fussy and very specific, but can’t explain why something isn’t working.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Sydney Cisco, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Kim wore a brown nubuck jacket (a more durable alternative to suede, yet still a bit fussy) with a glossy, orange-red patent leather pencil skirt.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Among design lovers, there’s always the sort that are simply seeking the least-fussy option.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026
Some directors are very fussy and very specific, but can’t explain why something isn’t working.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
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But for Farelo, a restless artist who describes herself as endlessly curious, that was just the beginning.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The restless first movement does quite a variety of things with an underlying waltz rhythm.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Solving the dead zone issue Laser communication is finicky.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
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Fruit trees, in particular, can be quite finicky and difficult to manage.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The best way to attain them during this conjunction of Venus and Saturn in your financial zone would be to set careful guardrails around your spending.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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No amount of sweeping or careful stepping keeps it at bay; shoes quickly collect a film of dust or thick mud.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The gardens, landscaped in both French and English styles, are well kept-after and lush; the rooms feature curved high ceilings and bold washes of paint; the ornate 19th-century furniture is original to the chateau.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
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Opting for ornate hardware and rings or adding a trim detail above the window—or to the fabric itself—can also help to give lighter curtains more substance.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than get irritable online, Medeiros did something positive about it.—
Dan Medeiros,
The Herald News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Manic episodes are described as prolonged periods of mood instability, in which a person can experience extreme increases in energy or euphoria, or alternatively, feel depressed or unusually irritable.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This weeknight chicken recipe will please picky eaters and seasoned cooks alike.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cuyana’s System Zipper Tote is another favorite among picky InStyle shopping editors.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The show has drawn praise for its meticulous re-creation of ‘90s New York — and also scorn from members of the Kennedy family and mixed reactions from others who knew the couple.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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Through meticulous reporting and exclusive access, Neyfakh and Canaan trace how the spicy subscription platform has surprisingly become an emotional marketplace.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What’s the pitch to talent, and how many are genuinely nervous about getting stuff wrong?—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
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This has been an area of strength recently, but these stocks will definitely pull back if the market gets nervous about whatever’s about to happen in Iran.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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