as in nice
informal + disapproving
having or showing the annoying attitude of people who care too much about dressing and behaving properly and who are easily upset by other people's behavior, language, etc.
She was too prissy to wear jeans. a prissy do-gooder
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Recent Examples of prissy
The composer shows himself a cartoonish James Bond-type, battling with his prissy critics, while also dallying with his seductive wife, who is represented in opulent violin solos.
—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
As Berenger’s prissy friend Gene, the character who transforms the most during the course of the play, Phillip Taratula changes in both body and soul.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Only on Industry can listening to one’s conscience come off as prissy and weak.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Despite its heavy premise, the movie also has absurdities, among them Conan O’Brien as a judgmental, prissy therapist.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Dec. 2025
Albee's 1962 play won a Tony Award, and would have also won a Pulitzer Prize for drama, if the prissy trustees of Columbia University hadn't overruled the jury.
—
Jim Higgins,
Journal Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2023
Some of that’s changing times, some of that is because a not-insignificant portion of W.A.S.P. fans are prissy suburbanites themselves.
—
Andy O'Connor,
SPIN,
13 Jan. 2023
McGregor speaks with a prissy American accent that in its own way is as expressive as Ray’s trumpet playing.
—
Mark Feeney,
BostonGlobe.com,
20 Oct. 2022
The former embodies Professor Dovey, a prissy headmistress in Tweety Bird-yellow threads, who’s always going on about the rules, while Theron’s evil-minded Lady Lesso takes her fashion cues from Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS.
—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Oct. 2022
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
As Berenger’s prissy friend Gene, the character who transforms the most during the course of the play, Phillip Taratula changes in both body and soul.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Only on Industry can listening to one’s conscience come off as prissy and weak.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Despite its heavy premise, the movie also has absurdities, among them Conan O’Brien as a judgmental, prissy therapist.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Dec. 2025
Albee's 1962 play won a Tony Award, and would have also won a Pulitzer Prize for drama, if the prissy trustees of Columbia University hadn't overruled the jury.
—
Jim Higgins,
Journal Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2023
Some of that’s changing times, some of that is because a not-insignificant portion of W.A.S.P. fans are prissy suburbanites themselves.
—
Andy O'Connor,
SPIN,
13 Jan. 2023
McGregor speaks with a prissy American accent that in its own way is as expressive as Ray’s trumpet playing.
—
Mark Feeney,
BostonGlobe.com,
20 Oct. 2022
The former embodies Professor Dovey, a prissy headmistress in Tweety Bird-yellow threads, who’s always going on about the rules, while Theron’s evil-minded Lady Lesso takes her fashion cues from Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS.
—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prissy
Adjective
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In Colima city for coffee and a nice meal, visitors should bookmark Puerto Café and Cumbre, a restaurant and bakery that stands out in a scene of growing maturity and ambition.
-
Johnson could provide a nice defensive partner with Flagg in the front court with Johnson’s rim protections and ability to switch on the perimeter.
Adjective
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In a demanding, real-world performance setting — a capstone exercise, a live performance, a high-stakes simulation — the goal is not to eliminate all mistakes, but to stay in control and navigate the zone of being uncomfortable.
-
New York crowds are passionate, honest, and demanding.
Adjective
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To accessorize her look, Chopra Jonas opted for delicate jewelry pieces that augmented the vibrant color scheme of her attire.
-
Crappies, walleyes, and panfish are usually fried, and that’s partially because their thinner, more delicate fillets benefit from a batter coating holding them together during the cooking process.
Adjective
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The 5-star analyst highlighted that Pinterest has delivered double-digit global user growth for ten consecutive quarters, with his May data analysis indicating particular momentum in the second quarter of 2026.
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And Freddie becomes a bag man for the civil rights movement, and the Rumford Act in particular.
Adjective
-
Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess.
-
Ultimately, the widespread adoption of AI for mental health constitutes a global experiment with both potential benefits and serious downsides that require careful management.
Adjective
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The vibe of every room is prim and professional, with clean lines and neutral tones, creating spaces that would feel appropriate as the backdrop of a last-minute work Zoom, but not too rigid for the kick-off of a leisure trip.
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This month’s nail trends feel less prim-and-proper and more playful—think vivid colors and striking patterns that look like they’ve been pulled straight from a vibrant beach towel, fruit stand, or a sunset.
Adjective
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Select a compact cultivar, such as ‘Kleim's Hardy' or ‘Crown Jewel', for growing in small spaces or containers, and be aware that these finicky shrubs might not be the best choice for beginner gardeners.
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Hall’s dexterity with finicky varietals is on full display with his entry level Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (both civilly priced at $40 and $45 respectively).
Adjective
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Everyday businesses most at risk To counter the threat, businesses and leaders should invest in cyber defenses, upgrade old systems or patch faulty software, and limit who has access to critical systems, the Five Eyes leaders said.
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Commercial vessels and oil tankers preparing to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical strategic waterways for global trade flows, maintain their wait in the Gulf of Oman, on June 17, 2026.
Cite this Entry
“Prissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prissy. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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