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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prissy
Adjective
-
Five is nice, but 17 straight is a dynasty unparalleled in City Section history.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Just the shops and the overall setting is really nice.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Reliable Service as an Operational Standard Clients in Dallas-Fort Worth should expect something more demanding than friendliness and something less theatrical than branding.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The dual-motor setup targets higher output and improved traction for more demanding driving conditions.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Also on view are selections from the Macchia series, known for bold color combinations and ruffled edges, and the delicate Seaforms, which evoke underwater life through translucent layers of glass.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If the particular coat isn’t available anymore, consider a gift card.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This particular instance, however, departs from cliché in important ways.—
Susan Tallman,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Detecting such tiny numbers of atoms takes time, and the setup requires careful calibration and advanced equipment.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Just an hour outside New York City lies a prim and proper Colonial compound steeped in history.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Split the difference in your own pair with a prim, preppy jacket, luxe snakeskin flats, and chic gold jewelry; you’re all set for a fancy dinner or happy hour.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
27 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
-
Dozens of nations push for reopening of strait Dozens of nations repeated calls to open the critical waterway in a joint statement led by Bahrain.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Those increases are being driven in part by global supply concerns, including ongoing tensions involving Iran and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil shipments.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prissy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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