prissy

adjective

Definition of prissynext
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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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 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 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 After her father’s death, Delilah Green grew up in the company of her frosty stepmother, Isabel, and prissy stepsister, Astrid—so as soon as high school was over, Delilah left town and never looked back. — Keely Weiss, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Feb. 2022 Bows may seem prissy, but there's actually surprisingly versatile. — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prissy
  1. nice
  2. demanding
  3. delicate
  4. particular
  5. careful
  6. prim
  7. finicky
  8. critical
Adjective
  • There’s a difference between a need-to-have and a nice-to-have, though, and both Murgio and Erman Ozguven agree there are good reasons to evacuate further than just a few miles inland.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • On nice days, customers can sit on the rooftop among the outdoor sculpture garden and their meals will be brought to their table.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson star as two young men who sign up for a physically demanding and deathly competition led by Mark Hamill’s Major.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • The leading Chinese models still trail the frontier on the most demanding reasoning work, a gap this publication walked through when DeepSeek cut prices in April.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Their wide silhouette creates an interesting contrast with the delicate shape of a granny blouse.
    — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 9 July 2026
  • Satellites perform a delicate dance to maintain their orbit, by locking themselves to a speed just fast enough to counteract the downward pull of gravity.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The Supreme Court’s rulings have landed with particular force in South Florida, which is home to the largest share of Venezuelan immigrants in the country.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • And Ormund Hightower appears to be very capable at this particular game, which should come as no surprise given Otto was his uncle and the Hightowers are wildly rich and powerful.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of particular
Adjective
  • When an accident brings the enigmatic Gaia into their lives, unexpected desires begin to take shape, unsettling the careful balance that has long defined their relationship.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 18 June 2026
Definition of prim
Adjective
  • Why simplicity is the whole game Right now, except for a few robot makers who are already scaling like Agibot and Unitree, humanoid robots are expensive, hand-built, and finicky.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The idea of apps like Partiful are to eliminate the need for finicky email threads and groupchats with a bunch of unknown numbers by instead putting all the info – guest list, event details and photos – in one place.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of finicky
Adjective
  • Tensions are flaring over the critical Strait of Hormuz, pushing the two sides back towards all-out war.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The most critical one came in the 21st minute with France’s Lucas Digne committed a foul on Yamal in the box.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

prisons
prissy
pristine
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Cite this Entry

“Prissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prissy. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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