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
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 fussy
Kousa also boasts handsome flaking bark, and most important, kousa resists disease and isn't as fussy about soil as flowering dogwood is.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
For most people, the drug doesn’t come with fussy rules about when it should be taken.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … CRYING SHAME — Viral trend has parents distracting fussy toddlers with name games.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
John Houseman tippy toes briefly as a dry old bean and stuffy grammarian, emblematic of the stultified staff at Fox’s magazine of employment; unfortunately, Houseman’s marvelously fussy presence is only one of the film’s intermittent garnishes, most of which are never developed and never pay off.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
For most people, the drug doesn’t come with fussy rules about when it should be taken.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … CRYING SHAME — Viral trend has parents distracting fussy toddlers with name games.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
John Houseman tippy toes briefly as a dry old bean and stuffy grammarian, emblematic of the stultified staff at Fox’s magazine of employment; unfortunately, Houseman’s marvelously fussy presence is only one of the film’s intermittent garnishes, most of which are never developed and never pay off.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fussy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy
Adjective
-
As Houser walked off the field, a few restless fans tossed boos in Houser’s direction.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This combo means the bed never feels saggy or restrictive, even when sharing it with a restless partner (or dog).—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Aside from a finicky toilet, the capsule appeared to perform well during the nearly 10-day voyage, according to NASA.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Hydrangeas can be a bit finicky and may take a few weeks to months to settle in.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
-
Through some careful engineering, Roberts, Alito, and their allies have created a trap for voting-rights cases.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
It is surrounded by appliqué ornamentation reflecting the decorative arts of each culture and an ornate frieze around the periphery.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Cruise ships release passengers daily to see the bright, ornate facades lining the harbor.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even worse, deer aren’t very picky.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The other reason for picky old rockers to show up is that this company achieves some very powerful harmonics on many of those songs, utilizing Marriott’s immersive capabilities.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Similarly, the direction—and its corollary, the editing—allows nothing extraneous to detract attention from the script’s meticulous and sturdy construction.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The greens, by the way, were meticulous and – always a delight – readable.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the draft room, Bisciotti looked nervous as the pick approached, worried another team — or even his own GM — might snag Randall.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Some nervous Democrats and their allies worry that language could thwart installation of a Democratic majority in the next Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
