fussy

adjective

ˈfə-sē How to pronounce fussy (audio)
Definition of fussynext
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?"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finicky
hard to please cats have a well-deserved reputation for being fussy eaters

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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

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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

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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 Today’s recipe Carolynn Carreño’s recipe for this smooth, creamy chocolate frosting is easy to make, with none of the potential pitfalls of fussy European buttercreams. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The doughnuts are tender with a subtly sweet dough, and the toppings aren’t overly fussy. — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026 However, after embodying fussy dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock for Phantom Thread in 2017, Day-Lewis was once again claiming to be done with show business. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026 The eclectic spa is filled with curiosities and antiquities, and the food is chef-driven but not fussy, with dishes such as steak frites and salmon. — Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
  1. restless
  2. finicky
  3. careful
  4. ornate
  5. irritable
  6. picky
  7. meticulous
  8. nervous
Adjective
  • The 16-track set is a truly thrilling journey through the relentless ambition and restless psyche of a young Black woman who’s dedicated her life to navigating the notoriously tumultuous music industry.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There’s Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu), a former SP welder who’s scarred by the aftermath of his firing, and his vibrant and restless wife, Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon).
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • The most finicky part of the setup was actually inserting the battery for the igniter.
    — Noah Kaufman, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The oversized trench coat maintains its spot in the fall capsule wardrobe, while a few more unexpected silhouettes, like the elevated track jacket, offer both protection and elegance in the notoriously finicky weather to come.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of finicky
Adjective
  • Full-scale, 10-foot Hulk standins helped actors and camera crews judge his dimensions on set, and even his pants required careful attention.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Turning a field into a recognizable maze requires specialized planning and careful execution.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Next up is a house tour, from the cavernous, all-white living room to a glimpse of the ornate indoor pool, with V lamenting that the place is so huge he sometimes gets lost.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Many of its original details, from formal entry galleries and large terraces to ornate moldings and herringbone floors, remain.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornate
Adjective
  • Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Coach There’s no better feeling than walking into your last show of the day, irritable and hungry, only to discover that snacks are being served.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • The limited prep area has forced me to be incredibly picky about which tools and appliances to display and which to relegate to cabinets.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In today’s uneven market, dealers and advisers are being especially picky about which fairs to attend.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of picky
Adjective
  • Harris also helped shape the movie’s imagination sequences, pushing Pixar’s artists toward more spontaneous, painterly images rather than the studio’s usual meticulous realism.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While the restorations are only to the marble surface of the building, the meticulous nature of the job would have disrupted all aspects of the Plaza experience for would-be guests.
    — Timothy Latterner, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of meticulous
Adjective
  • Any agency whose main product is activity rather than thinking should be very nervous right now; frankly, some of them should have been nervous years ago.
    — Angelica Kopec, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Consumers in the country, nervous about the shaky economy, are loading up on gold jewelry, bars and coins.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous

Browse Nearby Words

fusspots
fussy
fustian
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Cite this Entry

“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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