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
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
Continue reading … CRYING SHAME — Viral trend has parents distracting fussy toddlers with name games.
—
FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
John Houseman tippy toes briefly as a dry old bean and stuffy grammarian, emblematic of the stultified staff at Fox’s magazine of employment; unfortunately, Houseman’s marvelously fussy presence is only one of the film’s intermittent garnishes, most of which are never developed and never pay off.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
The fussy Moon activates your 8th House of Intimate Topics, so joint finances or favors may feel sensitive and need clearer agreements.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Briany, with her plump cheeks and full head of dark hair, wasn’t normally this fussy.
—Jeff Ernsthausen, ProPublica, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
John Houseman tippy toes briefly as a dry old bean and stuffy grammarian, emblematic of the stultified staff at Fox’s magazine of employment; unfortunately, Houseman’s marvelously fussy presence is only one of the film’s intermittent garnishes, most of which are never developed and never pay off.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
The fussy Moon activates your 8th House of Intimate Topics, so joint finances or favors may feel sensitive and need clearer agreements.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Briany, with her plump cheeks and full head of dark hair, wasn’t normally this fussy.
—Jeff Ernsthausen, ProPublica, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
-
As Houser walked off the field, a few restless fans tossed boos in Houser’s direction.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This combo means the bed never feels saggy or restrictive, even when sharing it with a restless partner (or dog).—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Aside from a finicky toilet, the capsule appeared to perform well during the nearly 10-day voyage, according to NASA.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Hydrangeas can be a bit finicky and may take a few weeks to months to settle in.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Detecting such tiny numbers of atoms takes time, and the setup requires careful calibration and advanced equipment.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The interiors lean heavily into scale, with soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and ornate detailing throughout.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
-
With its rounded corners, lofty windows, and ornate façade, the building incorporates elements from many periods and architectural styles.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even worse, deer aren’t very picky.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The other reason for picky old rockers to show up is that this company achieves some very powerful harmonics on many of those songs, utilizing Marriott’s immersive capabilities.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Valerii was meticulous and detail-oriented, often to a fault.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But fights are just as integral to the Netflix show created by Lee Sung Jin, and the series’ sound team needed to do even more meticulous work building visceral senses of anger, stress, and dread that slowly swallow up the characters and steer them into making a compounding set of poor decisions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the draft room, Bisciotti looked nervous as the pick approached, worried another team — or even his own GM — might snag Randall.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Some nervous Democrats and their allies worry that language could thwart installation of a Democratic majority in the next Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
