as in picky
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Recent Examples of nitpicky
People might be critical or nitpicky.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
That might be minor and nitpicky, but that is the kind of thing that will take his work to the next level.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
That might be minor and nitpicky, but that is the kind of thing that will take his work to the next level.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nitpicky
Adjective
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Sugar, butter, eggs, and your choice of thickening agent (flour or cornmeal or a combo of both), come together to make a luscious custard filling that will please even the pickiest of pie eaters.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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Cuyana’s System Zipper Tote is another favorite among picky InStyle shopping editors.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Between stiff, too-tight pairs digging into my waist with every move and finicky zippers and buttons, finding a trusty pair of jeans can feel daunting.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
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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,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The director, Polly Findlay, presents all of this in a fluid and fastidious prestige-teleplay-of-the-week way.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
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Maria Barriga is fastidious with hers at Oxomoco.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Relatively disease and pest-free, gladiolus aren't fussy about soil and, once established, are moderately drought-tolerant.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Serving Spoon has been passed down several generations and serves up soul food fare at a non-fussy spot in Los Angeles County.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The finical, fanatical, reciprocal chiselling of mind and matter.—
Christian Wiman,
The New Yorker,
6 Dec. 2021
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However, finical institution Citi is the official presale credit card of the headliner engagements, and Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets a week earlier, from Tuesday, May 18 at 10AM PST to Sunday, May 23 at 10 PM PST through the Citi Entertainment program.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes,
13 May 2021
Adjective
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This particular shipment likely set sail from Quanzhou, a port on China’s eastern coast that was close to the creative heartlands in the Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, bound for Temasek, according to Flecker.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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Intentionally or not, this particular piece channels the emerald Cartier necklace Marjorie Merriweather Post wore to the Palm Beach Everglades Ball in 1929, a transfixing way to make an entrance.—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This year’s trends, structured silhouettes in black, vibrant accents, and striking high jewelry are more exacting than ever.—
Alex Badia,
Footwear News,
22 Feb. 2026
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That Melania has very exacting taste in blouse necklines?—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Those backers have become more discerning and eager to invest with funds that have clear mandates rather than just broad ambitions to gather money across multiple asset classes, according to Young, who won three Super Bowl rings with the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Not only do these products feature double-digit discounts, but they’ve also been given two thumbs up by our discerning gear team.—
Outside,
Outside,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nitpicky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nitpicky. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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