pernickety

adjective

pər-ˈni-kə-tē How to pronounce pernickety (audio)
Definition of pernicketynext
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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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 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
  1. careful
  2. finicky
  3. persnickety
  4. particular
  5. fussy
  6. picky
  7. fastidious
  8. demanding
Adjective
  • South Korea’s finance minister has apologized for launching the riskier products without careful consideration.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regulators have been careful to note that the action targets concentrated and synthetic products, not natural leaf containing trace amounts.
    — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • While Michael King struggled to finish off finicky and plucky Diamondbacks hitters, the real issue and the real worry was on the other side of the ball.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • With about 1,200 total producers in Barolo and 425 in Barbaresco—both of which make wine using the finicky Nebbiolo grape—very few grow grapes and make wine in both appellations.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of finicky
Adjective
  • The team then turned to an open-source model developed in China, which was less persnickety.
    — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of persnickety
Adjective
  • That protected those particular areas from ordinary floods, but the team claims, removed much of the river system’s overflow capacity.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In a project narrative letter, developers point out that different zoning districts are allowed within a particular comprehensive-plan designation, like the low-density residential area.
    — Rose Evans August 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of particular
Adjective
  • It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to instantly plump and hydrate your complexion without a fussy application process.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
  • She’s known to take any fussy baby and calm them down immediately.
    — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of fussy
Adjective
  • Queen conchs are picky about their habitats Queen conchs are large marine gastropods, and can be found throughout the Caribbean Sea, around Bermuda and in the Florida Keys.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 31 July 2026
  • Diners can eat outside picnic-style or take their meal to go, but either way, get ready for a satisfying option for even the pickiest of pallets.
    — Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 28 July 2026
Definition of picky
Adjective
  • Universal's Potter lands at its resorts in Orlando, Hollywood, Beijing and Osaka are famous for their fastidious attention to detail.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • One of the most beautiful women in the world during her lifetime, the former Princess of Wales was fastidious about getting her sleep.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 July 2026
Definition of fastidious
Adjective
  • By automating repetitive, physically demanding and highly variable tasks, intelligent robotics allows experienced people to focus on the work where their judgment and expertise create the greatest value.
    — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • However, rather than viewing the demanding conditions as a disadvantage, Simmons believes the heat can become an advantage for the Panthers.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of demanding

Browse Nearby Words

pernicious
pernickety
perorate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pernickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernickety. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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