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
Lots of fussy bow-tie types yammering about Renoir.
—
Peter Bogdanovich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
There’s a slight awkwardness to the film’s invitation, a fussy kind of table setting that offers some trite (though, not inaccurate) Hollywood satire to ease us toward what the movie is really about.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
While Calvin Klein normally does away with fussy embellishments and patterns, stripes remain the only exception, thanks to their resort casual look that instantly elevates an outfit while keeping it understated.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
The production is a revival of the disappointingly fussy, clumsy, old-fashioned one by Lee Blakeley the company unveiled in 2013 for Conlon and to celebrate the Verdi bicentennial.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Peter Bogdanovich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
There’s a slight awkwardness to the film’s invitation, a fussy kind of table setting that offers some trite (though, not inaccurate) Hollywood satire to ease us toward what the movie is really about.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
While Calvin Klein normally does away with fussy embellishments and patterns, stripes remain the only exception, thanks to their resort casual look that instantly elevates an outfit while keeping it understated.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
The production is a revival of the disappointingly fussy, clumsy, old-fashioned one by Lee Blakeley the company unveiled in 2013 for Conlon and to celebrate the Verdi bicentennial.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
-
The new big rig essentially picks up where those two leave off, giving restless travelers a vessel for achieving their most ambitious dream adventures – an off-road RV that's bigger, more capable and more self-sufficient than anything Winnebago offers currently, or has sold previously.—
C.C. Weiss
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
-
Feeling restless in your current environment?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Anton Hur on the myth of the finicky English reader.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Roses are notoriously finicky and prone to diseases like black spot and powdery mildew, so this tougher version that could roll with the punches and didn’t require regular spraying with fungicide seemed like the champion of shrub roses.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The tunnel was built after careful planning and executed with tremendous effort.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ladies who lunch at The George cross paths with ladies who launch (startups, that is), men in smart suits are occasionally gala-bound, and creatives on laptops greet locals stopping in for a drink or afternoon tea under the ornate ceilings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
The insider added that the mom-to-be repeatedly gushed over the ornate decorations.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s because the Moon is at odds with Mars today and everyone is irritable.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
-
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cherry laurel isn't super picky and will tolerate dry, poor, and alkaline soils, salt, as well as heavy pruning.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
-
Yet, the home run bets also have inviting betting odds, and being picky can be fruitful with only a few hits.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The doctors are meticulous about the medical side of operations, spending two years cherry picking the best new technologies and recruiting a team of doctors and therapists from some of Europe’s most respected spas, including Lanserhof, Chenot, and the Mayr clinics.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
His meticulous attention to detail included triple-stitching the leather, creating a complete leather lining for the Porsche’s front trunk, and even wrapping the switchgear and controls in matching leather.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
There was laughter, nervous laughter, lots of nervous laughter, and also tears.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
Providing the voice of one of the many alien characters is Martin Scorsese, who has some amusing moments with his typically rapid-fire delivery as a nervous street food vendor whom Djarin pumps for information.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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