as in careful
hard to please
an Oxford don who's definitely a pernickety old chap
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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
Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pernickety
Adjective
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Those same records also showed that the only other purchases of BAM in the state of Colorado had been from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency and the National Parks Service — both of which maintained careful records of any use of the drug, per the indictment.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Wispy ’90s bangs are notoriously finicky—they’re so lightweight that the slightest brush against your forehead can leave them greasy and flat.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
2 Nov. 2025
-
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,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, a persnickety bank investigator, played by Tilda Swinton in a frizzle of red hair and clompy shoes, approaches Doyle with a serious charge.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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The holdup has come from some persnickety deal points, like carving out international streaming rights and reaching consensus on the tech advancements Apple plans to use for its productions.—
Alex Harrington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, the path to a particular friendship is never easy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Berens brings his particular brand of Midwest nice to his latest hour (watch the trailer above), full of stories about growing up one of 12 children, sneaking a beer into church, gambling with his grandmother, and Midwest Cheap Hacks.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Music biographies often follow a non-fussy trajectory, rallying their base with nostalgic re-creations of big concert moments and a sturdy timeline that begins with an idol’s birth and ending on a critical juncture in its subject’s life or even death.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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Gooey butter cake is beloved for its, well, gooey texture and warm, comforting flavors that are decadent but not fussy or overwhelming.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To keep everyone content, dining choices should have something on the menu for serious foodies and the pickiest of kids.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Phillips said that’s why the strategy requires that investors be particularly picky about the properties.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But that was hardly the end of our fastidious, crime-solving genius.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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As the mission sprints its final lap before launch day, their fastidious preparation stands out as an achievement in its own right.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Under coach Reggie Theus, the Wildcats will face a demanding non‑conference slate that includes road games against power programs like Auburn Tigers and Miami Hurricanes.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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These roles can be physically demanding, and you will be expected to stand for long periods, lift moderate weights and move quickly in busy situations.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pernickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernickety. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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