1
as in choosey
hard to please
a picky cat who would only eat one particular kind of food, and only if it was served in his special dish
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in selective
tending to select carefully
she's picky, but she always finds the best quality in fresh meat and fish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of picky
To receive autism certification through Autism Double Checked, staff at participating properties go through rigorous training on how to best support their autistic guests, such as how to adapt a menu for a picky eater and how to avoid strongly scented cleaning products.
—
Jamie Davis Smith, AFAR Media, 4 Apr. 2025
Votive experts and picky people wax poetic about scents from Harry Styles, Courteney Cox, and more
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 2 May 2025
There is even research that shows that color-blind men may be less likely to be picky eaters because their inability to discern clearly between colors hinders them from forming an emotional response to a food’s appearance.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
The menu is filled with healthy, customizable options perfect for picky eaters, all just steps from Levain Bakery, home to one of the city’s best chocolate chip cookies.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for picky
Jamie Davis Smith, AFAR Media, 4 Apr. 2025
Votive experts and picky people wax poetic about scents from Harry Styles, Courteney Cox, and more
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 2 May 2025
There is even research that shows that color-blind men may be less likely to be picky eaters because their inability to discern clearly between colors hinders them from forming an emotional response to a food’s appearance.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
The menu is filled with healthy, customizable options perfect for picky eaters, all just steps from Levain Bakery, home to one of the city’s best chocolate chip cookies.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for picky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picky
Adjective
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In addition to the general tariffs, Trump launched selective reciprocal tariffs much higher than the 10% general charge.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
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With no predators, external threats or competitors, demodex mites have no selective pressures, Perotti explained.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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While tariffs may lead to consumers being more choosy, Link said the overall macroeconomic picture still looks positive, bolstered by lower interest rates, a steady job market and strong consumer savings.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2025
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And by that time in her career, Salonga could be choosy.—
Robert Ito,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hydrangeas can be a bit finicky and may take a few weeks to months to settle in.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
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But the finicky weather usually makes for a shorter window.—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
25 May 2025
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Many participants with conflicting ideologies also reported cohabiting peacefully for the most part, while being careful not to bring up divisive topics and focus on their similarities instead.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Wilson completed a pass to Dee Eskridge, who made a nice one-handed catch with cornerback Kendall Sheffield in coverage.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
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From the outside, Lyons’s house is a textbook Baltimore row home with a modest porch made for relaxing on a nice day or having a smoke while you people-watch.—
Lawrence Burney,
Pitchfork,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Denim, in general, is one of the most effective ways to make an outfit look less fussy and more lived-in.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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Society has called these people fussy, or in more recent times, metrosexual.—
Dave Schilling,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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What would the notoriously persnickety Corbitt say about those bold additions?—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
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Jonathan Pryce plays the persnickety headmaster who prefers to keep politics outside the school walls.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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First-time homebuyers in particular, a majority of which are normally young people, have struggled to get on the property ladder due to rising costs and historically high mortgage rates.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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This year, in particular, organizers for pride events, including in San Francisco and Houston, are seeing corporate sponsors pull out or give less of financial support.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picky. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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