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
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
Sharon Sanders: — and perfume and being prissy (laughs).
—CBS News, 21 May 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
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
Sharon Sanders: — and perfume and being prissy (laughs).
—CBS News, 21 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prissy
Adjective
-
Neemias Queta made all three of his field goals in the opening quarter, including a nice turnaround hook shot over Jokic and a last-second alley-oop from Pritchard, whose penchant for buzzer-beaters likely drew Denver’s attention away from the lurking big man.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The Executive Rooms have cushy beds, nice hardwood floors, spa showers, jetted tubs, a super-ergonomic office chair, and energizing views of Metcalfe Street.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The base model starts at $1,599, while the higher-end Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299 and adds features aimed at more demanding professional use cases, including higher brightness, mini-LED backlighting and a faster refresh rate.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
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Or in the dancer Mira Nadon, whose body contains a natural shadow, revealing a tension between musical dissonance and the relentlessly demanding and athletic steps she is pushed to perform.—
Jennifer Homans,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Knee-high socks in black or white complemented pointed pumps and derby shoes alike, with a playful floral pattern or delicate crochet design at the lower level.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Or omit the bonus ingredients entirely and try these scones on their own in their lofty, delicate, and delicious glory.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This particular shipment likely set sail from Quanzhou, a port on China’s eastern coast that was close to the creative heartlands in the Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, bound for Temasek, according to Flecker.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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Intentionally or not, this particular piece channels the emerald Cartier necklace Marjorie Merriweather Post wore to the Palm Beach Everglades Ball in 1929, a transfixing way to make an entrance.—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Finnerty Mackay, who blended prim wool tailoring with Latex shirts and shaggy skirts, said his collection was inspired by addiction.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Candiace ditched her glitzy Housewives looks in favor of prim and proper twin sets and girlish headbands that conveyed an image of innocence and charm, a masterful choice for a game in which perception is everything.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Between stiff, too-tight pairs digging into my waist with every move and finicky zippers and buttons, finding a trusty pair of jeans can feel daunting.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Clark, notably, faces primary challengers from people on the Left who are critical of Israel, highlighting her potential need for financial support from AIPAC.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Want to stay up to date on IndieWire’s film reviews and critical thoughts?—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prissy. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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