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
-
This careful tiptoeing is probably because the scissor artwork was never meant to be sold at a wider scale.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Christmas cactus can be finicky, and consistency is key.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
-
California renters are finicky customers, changing apartments far more often than the typical American tenant.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
But Wilson is in his comfort zone as ever with Anderson, playing Francis’s persnickety dedication to the trip’s itinerary with his typical generosity.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
This particular system uses an underground connecting cable between two passenger cabins.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
For these men, in particular, better intervention could indeed be lifesaving.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And while the real thing is a great gift idea for seasoned green thumbs, novice plant owners can still enjoy the look (minus the fussy upkeep) with this faux version that looks surprisingly realistic.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
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Despite getting dolled up for her latest press run, Blunt does not love wearing fussy dresses or heels to events.—
Starr Bowenbank,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Water Quality While the water from your faucet is generally ok for most other houseplants, peace lilies are picky about their water.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t bribe—empathize Bribing picky eaters with dessert is a common tactic parents use to get to the end of the meal.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The convenience factor would start to dwindle, however, if drivers had to stop and wait while the drone located their vehicle, then came in to execute a fastidious landing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Scorn is a salve for her—an enjoyable expression of her fastidious nature and a coping strategy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As the founder and CEO of Shondaland – a media empire behind hits like Scandal, Inventing Anna Bridgerton and more – Rhimes balances intense storytelling with the equally demanding role of being a mother of three.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Thank you for your demanding, lyrical, and sensual body of work, and for your fidelity to the light itself.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pernickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernickety. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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