PERNICKETY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

pernickety

adjective

pər-ˈni-kə-tē

Definition of pernickety

chiefly British

as in careful

hard to please an Oxford don who's definitely a pernickety old chap

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pernickety Perhaps this pernickety attention to detail is just the next logical step after years of falsification? — Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pernickety

Adjective

After careful physical analysis of six ancient princesses buried beneath the pyramids at Dahshur, researchers now have an answer.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Why simplicity is the whole game Right now, except for a few robot makers who are already scaling like Agibot and Unitree, humanoid robots are expensive, hand-built, and finicky.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
The idea of apps like Partiful are to eliminate the need for finicky email threads and groupchats with a bunch of unknown numbers by instead putting all the info – guest list, event details and photos – in one place.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of finicky

Adjective

Imagine creating a new standard of hypersensitive caution about attracting even the most persnickety media criticism, and then applying it for the first time to your son’s wedding.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Francesca’s pinnacle Once a Regency world has implied there’s mass print culture capable of speedy and pervasive distribution of colored images, something as persnickety as vocabulary is probably beside the point.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of persnickety

Adjective

According to the laws of the game, the break between halves should be no longer than 15 minutes but FIFA has been quite vague about the rules for this particular tournament.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Hair grows in different cycles, and the laser only affects hairs in a particular phase of their growth.

— The Editors, Robb Report, 19 July 2026

Definition of particular

Adjective

Under Walsh’s witty direction, all four deliver pitch-perfect comedic performances in this frothy farce, which is full of mistaken identities, exaggerated infatuations and fussy social norms.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
For fussy kids, freeze fruit juice or smoothies into ice pops.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of fussy

Adjective

Did Argentina benefit, in the last 16, from a by-the-rules but picky VAR decision that nixed a quality goal by Egypt?

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Yellow and green squash add a good dose of veggies to this baked pasta, but are combined with enough gooey cheese that the picky eaters won’t even mind.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 July 2026

Definition of picky

Adjective

Where To Eat On 30A From classic Southern fare to bustling rooftop bars to seafood dives, the restaurants scattered along 30A will satisfy (and fill up) everyone, from the most fastidious foodie to the pickiest nibbler.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 July 2026
No such thing as a flop era for the fastidious Atlantic Trivia player.

— Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Definition of fastidious

Adjective

Those efforts produced significant performance and efficiency gains for several of the laboratory’s most demanding applications.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Yzerman was known as a demanding, intimidating general manager who could grind players in negotiations.

— Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of demanding

Browse Nearby Words

pernicious

pernickety

perorate

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“Pernickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernickety. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pernickety

adjective

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