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
Kousa also boasts handsome flaking bark, and most important, kousa resists disease and isn't as fussy about soil as flowering dogwood is.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
For most people, the drug doesn’t come with fussy rules about when it should be taken.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
For most people, the drug doesn’t come with fussy rules about when it should be taken.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
-
The restless souls contained within all forms of life begin to awaken, bringing fiery hues back to the formerly dreary expanse of winter landscapes.—
Emily Leahy,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
In some instances, people became restless dealing with red tape at the airport and had tantrums in the terminal.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
2 May 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
-
The move, Lindon said, is careful.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
However, the Vaile Victorian Society, the volunteer group that maintains the house and runs tours, worries that once the house ceases to become a public property, the careful preservation work, which the aged property relies on, will be impossible to maintain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
This manifested in both organic and ornate shapes, real and faux hair adornments and billowing embellishments collected from nature.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
-
It is surrounded by appliqué ornamentation reflecting the decorative arts of each culture and an ornate frieze around the periphery.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 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
-
Take time to cover trash cans and clean up food waste—since pigeons are less picky eaters and will dumpster dive if allowed.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 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
-
Her passion for design and meticulous attention to detail inspired my deep appreciation for creativity and craftsmanship.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
It is said, in these parts, that the ever meticulous De Zerbi was every bit as demanding on the ground staff as his players.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 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 10 May. 2026.
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