1
as in finicky
hard to please
as she got older, she got more and more persnickety
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
lacked the patience to deal with such persnickety tasks as hanging wallpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aristocratic
being or characteristic of a person who has an offensive air of superiority and tends to ignore or disdain anyone regarded as inferior
his persnickety attitude lost him some friends when they found out what he really thinks of "their kind"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of persnickety
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
What’s more, some species are so persnickety that even low-water activity media won’t do the trick consistently.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
The champion’s mindset—persnickety, hyper-critical, focused—is back.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Because of that pressurization level, passengers will experience less stress on their bodies and get more oxygen while onboard, which can help to reduce that persnickety jet lag.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Dec. 2025
And Bob's combative phone call with a persnickety resistance operator marks a comedic career highlight for both DiCaprio and Anderson.
5.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Dec. 2025
Maybe also add a little note telling them not to get too persnickety about insuring the blade is mirror-shiny all the time.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
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
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
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
What’s more, some species are so persnickety that even low-water activity media won’t do the trick consistently.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
The champion’s mindset—persnickety, hyper-critical, focused—is back.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Because of that pressurization level, passengers will experience less stress on their bodies and get more oxygen while onboard, which can help to reduce that persnickety jet lag.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Dec. 2025
And Bob's combative phone call with a persnickety resistance operator marks a comedic career highlight for both DiCaprio and Anderson.
5.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Dec. 2025
Maybe also add a little note telling them not to get too persnickety about insuring the blade is mirror-shiny all the time.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persnickety
Adjective
-
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,
13 Feb. 2026
-
However, the safety market has been finicky, with the value of the position declining in recent years.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Dorm’s New ‘Frenemy’ Their quest will be all the more challenging when a new friend (or foe) appears in the dorm.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Schedule time with a challenging book, as fresh ideas can soothe moods and moderate your protective instincts.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The American groups always had very aristocratic, wonderful names.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
-
According to English Heritage, the charity which maintains the property, the rooms were first used by royal and aristocratic children and their attendants.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Stirring frequently, cook until garlic is a deep golden brown, being careful not to burn it, about 5 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Once the heavy portion is removed, finish with a clean cut where the branch meets the trunk, being careful not to injure the branch collar.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The voracious reader said that the best books, those that brought him happiness, were not the ones that ease our way in this strange and difficult world.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Local farmers work long hours, often under difficult conditions, to ensure our food supply remains steady.—
Joe Dymek,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
My mother, a picky eater, cleaned her plate of every course, and even ate oysters and mushrooms for the first time in my life!—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Save your pickiest, most problematic tasks for days with strong, above-zero stars.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
International trips ranged from casual travel, like sightseeing in the Scottish Highlands, to more demanding objectives, including a 10-day point-to-point ski expedition in Northern Norway and a winter camping trip in Denali National Park.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Sanford Meisner, the school’s legendarily demanding director, was impressed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persnickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persnickety. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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