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
Despite getting dolled up for her latest press run, Blunt does not love wearing fussy dresses or heels to events.
—
Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The goal was not to create a line that felt fussy or that would be uncomfortable on long travel days.
—Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Now the New York Historical (a rebranding last year dropped both fussy hyphen and fusty noun) is achieving its deferred ambitions, with a hundred-and-seventy-five-million-dollar expansion.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The on-site restaurants, including a pizza joint, appeal to fussy eaters.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The goal was not to create a line that felt fussy or that would be uncomfortable on long travel days.
—Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Now the New York Historical (a rebranding last year dropped both fussy hyphen and fusty noun) is achieving its deferred ambitions, with a hundred-and-seventy-five-million-dollar expansion.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The on-site restaurants, including a pizza joint, appeal to fussy eaters.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
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Despite three tumultuous relocations in the past half-century, most recently a defection to Sin City five years ago, the Raiders still have a rabid fan base — at Allegiant, every game day is Halloween — and the natives and transplants (including 62,080 attendees Sunday) are getting restless.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Recent celebratory concerts dedicated to the two have been sites not of reverence but of restless rediscovery.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Orchids might seem like finicky houseplants, but with the proper care, that grocery store stunner can bloom for years and years.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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Arriving is primary Ladonna with about half of the world’s most finicky eaters.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those same records also showed that the only other purchases of BAM in the state of Colorado had been from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency and the National Parks Service — both of which maintained careful records of any use of the drug, per the indictment.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Dancers in ornate pharaonic costumes -- crowned with golden headpieces and holding scepters -- performed to a live international orchestra, as fireworks and drones depicting ancient gods lit up the sky above.—
Ayat Al-Tawy,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
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On Sunday in New York City at the Angel Ball hosted by Gabrielle’s Angel Fund, Blige styled a black lace version of Amina Muaddi’s Camelia style, which features an ornate octagonal crystal embellishment, with a dress from Tony Ward.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Most cases clear up on their own without complications, but parents should contact a doctor if a child cannot keep fluids down, has a high fever lasting more than a few days or seems unusually drowsy or irritable.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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Also known as irritable hip, the condition is due to inflammation of the hip joint lining.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To keep everyone content, dining choices should have something on the menu for serious foodies and the pickiest of kids.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Phillips said that’s why the strategy requires that investors be particularly picky about the properties.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Aster's craftsmanship matches his lead's, with Hereditary being as controlled and meticulous as the miniature tableaux Collette's character creates.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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The rules on how nurse practitioners can see patients in Missouri are meticulous.—
Meg Cunningham,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The dogs' job on marathon day will be to calm race-day jitters at the starting line, where runners can feel overwhelmed or nervous about the trek ahead.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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There was a lot of nervous smiling.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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