1
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
predictably, the kids riding in the back were fussy passengers, always asking "Are we there yet?"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finicky
hard to please
cats have a well-deserved reputation for being fussy eaters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in careful
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
a fussy teacher who reads through papers two and even three times before issuing a grade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ornate
elaborately and often excessively decorated
the room, with its rococo furniture and its overabundance of knickknacks, is just too fussy for my taste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fussy
The days and weeks of fussy, sleepless nights as little ones struggle with teething pain are the downside.
—
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
The cars pushed air around in very specific, very fussy ways to glue the car to the track — but the side effect was that following another car closely was like trying to have a picnic directly behind a leaf blower.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Our picks from Revo, Ray-Ban and Oakley offer a sporty look for men who eschew fussy styles in lieu of tried-and-true frames.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
The rooms The 132 rooms (including nine suites and a presidential suite) feel airy, soothing, and upscale without veering fussy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026
The cars pushed air around in very specific, very fussy ways to glue the car to the track — but the side effect was that following another car closely was like trying to have a picnic directly behind a leaf blower.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Our picks from Revo, Ray-Ban and Oakley offer a sporty look for men who eschew fussy styles in lieu of tried-and-true frames.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
The rooms The 132 rooms (including nine suites and a presidential suite) feel airy, soothing, and upscale without veering fussy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
-
Conversations stalled after 30 seconds, and the energy in the place was restless, performative, and slightly desperate.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In the spring of 1993, a group of restless Cartoon Network employees, led by VP of programming and TBS lifer Mike Lazzo, wanted to inject original programming targeted for adults into a rote repertory schedule of Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s especially true as the region gets an early warm season, allowing more finicky plants like cucumbers and melons time to get more established.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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But loading them with coffee is finicky.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is not the first time the United States has taken careful aim in Iran and shot its own feet.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Kang noted that Demon Hunters’ visual style was consciously shaped by her lifelong love of anime and manhwa — Korean comics and graphic novels — and executed with careful attention to Korean linguistic and cultural nuances, even though the film’s lingua franca is American English.—
Dan Bilefsky,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The ryokan-style resort blends imperial heritage—think ornate Meiji-era latticework, intimate courtyards, and meticulous Zen gardens—with sleek, soothing contemporary design.—
Kelsey Eisen,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
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For a long time, the property gleamed in the daylight with its white, ornate facade against lush green landscaping and often at night, as well, with twinkling holiday lights attached to almost every surface.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Caroly is immediately affected, glued to the TV; John, suddenly irritable, retreats.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Rather than get irritable online, Medeiros did something positive about it.—
Dan Medeiros,
The Herald News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While most Disney World restaurants participate in the dining plan, not all of them do, which can limit options for picky eaters.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
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Even the pickiest of eaters will love this salad.—
Andre Fowles,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Following a meticulous four-year renovation, creative directors Kirstin Bailey and Paul Haslhofer have carefully preserved the building’s historic bones while introducing a more contemporary aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Colleagues described him as a meticulous investigator and a committed trainer who brought humor and patience to his work.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even small amounts of mercury can cause severe damage to the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as to the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.—
Antonio MarÃa Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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Four more years of antibiotics made Morales nervous.—
Eric Boodman,
STAT,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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