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nosy

adjective

ˈnō-zē How to pronounce nosy (audio)
variants or nosey
Definition of nosynext
1
as in curious
interested in what is not one's own business nosy in-laws asking about our finances

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited a nosy coworker sat down right next to us as we were having an unmistakably private conversation

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 nosy So the characters being very nosy and curious at times came very naturally. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 May 2026 However, French cuisine, a 1950s horror movie and a nosy hotel employee interrupt their stay. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 17 May 2026 Much of the comedy came from the multi-generational family dynamics, as Ray's nosy parents lived right across the street. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026 The long lawn to the south remained mostly off-limits—but not for security reasons so much as keeping nosy tourists away from the first family. — Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nosy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nosy
  1. curious
  2. busy
  3. inquisitive
  4. officious
  5. annoying
  6. meddlesome
Adjective
  • Still, Linnetz harbors a curious desire about the experience of helming a big house one day.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • While some may be curious and excited about the growth opportunities of AI, the fear of replacement is still a real concern.
    — Tal Dagan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of curious
Adjective
  • Alex Steen’s first summer in the big chair was busy, but everything mostly made sense.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Amenities and experiences Harmon Guest House smartly devotes most of its real estate to guest rooms, allowing for maximum comfort in a busy area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of busy
Adjective
  • As played by Christoph Waltz, Hans Landa is a delightfully inquisitive portrait of Nazi horror.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of inquisitive
Adjective
  • Ambivalent about leaving Wisconsin, Caroline is befriended by the officious Jemma James (Mary Holland), whose husband, Eli (Michael Hough), is a railroad man.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026
  • The former is heralded with a blast of horns; the latter guards its inner sanctum behind Tobie Windham’s officious sentry.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of officious
Adjective
  • Yes, some of those fans are incredibly annoying—and some of those people aren’t even fans.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Would Berman, then 49 years old, care about the project, or would the superstar personality treat it as an annoying burden thrust on him by his employer’s media arrangement?
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder).
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of meddlesome

Browse Nearby Words

no sweat
nosy
not
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Cite this Entry

“Nosy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nosy. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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