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
Raphanus sativus isn't particularly fussy about soil, either.
—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
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Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.
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Within a few restless months, the group of strangers have become a fragile family.
Adjective
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The idea of apps like Partiful are to eliminate the need for finicky email threads and groupchats with a bunch of unknown numbers by instead putting all the info – guest list, event details and photos – in one place.
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Part of the problem is that, outside of their tenants’ pleas, landlords face neither any real pressure nor any legal requirement to install shutters and ceiling fans; even owners who want to do so are thwarted by recalcitrant co-op boards or finicky historic-preservation reviews.
Adjective
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Determination and careful calculations — hold on, carry the 2 — are a must.
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Graduate students face lower federal limits and the loss of Grad PLUS, requiring careful financial planning.
Adjective
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Hand engraving and ornate craftsmanship have also become more desirable as consumers gravitate toward pieces that feel handmade and deeply personal.
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The cathedral, its peaceful cloister, and its ornate crypt are also worth a visit.
Adjective
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The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.
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Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
Adjective
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McLaughlin admits that years of parenting picky eaters helped inspire the central idea behind the project.
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Lemon balm is not particularly picky about soil but needs good drainage to return after winter, which is most likely in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-7.
Adjective
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What appears as speed in global organizations is often the result of meticulous logistical preparation and an expert knowledge of regulatory environments.
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Chef Natsuko Shoji blends Tiffany glamour with Japanese ingredients, craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail.
Adjective
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At Clis boutique in Melrose Park, owner Jeimmy Espina is nervous and overwhelmed by the number of dead and injured in her home country.
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Apple head honchos are nervous about cybersecurity – and one reason might be a recent supply chain attack on supplier Tata, the largest Indian company of its kind to ink a partnership with the front-running American smartphone company.
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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