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
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
Hardy geraniums are not fussy about soil type.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
The service The service at Il Sereno is not extra fussy, but it is considered and thoughtful.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Inside The Limited XT feels like a grown-up Subaru cabin - useful, roomy and not fussy.
—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
Hardy geraniums are not fussy about soil type.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
The service The service at Il Sereno is not extra fussy, but it is considered and thoughtful.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Inside The Limited XT feels like a grown-up Subaru cabin - useful, roomy and not fussy.
—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
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Local legends speak of restless spirits, mysterious voices, and supernatural activity, although many claims are impossible to verify.
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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
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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.
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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
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China walked a careful diplomatic line during the conflict.
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All that plus nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service reflect the careful attention paid to guests at Moon Palace The Grand—Cancun.
Adjective
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The walls are chockablock with paintings of former presidents in heavily ornate gold frames.
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The film has a very specific, ornate visual style.
Adjective
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Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
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They can be withdrawn or irritable.
Adjective
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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.
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Rosewood is notoriously picky about locations, and its first debut winter resort is a testament to that.
Adjective
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During hours of interviews and temple visits, the former smuggler recounted his exploits in meticulous detail.
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Host Rachel Holt visits their Massachusetts workshop to meet the artisans behind the instruments and explore the meticulous process that brings each horn to life.
Adjective
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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.
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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 26 Jun. 2026.
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