FUSSY Synonyms: 276 Similar and Opposite Words

fussy

adjective

ˈfə-sē

Definition of fussy

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

as in finicky

hard to please cats have a well-deserved reputation for being fussy eaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Today’s recipe Carolynn Carreño’s recipe for this smooth, creamy chocolate frosting is easy to make, with none of the potential pitfalls of fussy European buttercreams. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The doughnuts are tender with a subtly sweet dough, and the toppings aren’t overly fussy. — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026 However, after embodying fussy dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock for Phantom Thread in 2017, Day-Lewis was once again claiming to be done with show business. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026 The eclectic spa is filled with curiosities and antiquities, and the food is chef-driven but not fussy, with dishes such as steak frites and salmon. — Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fussy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy

Adjective

Snapping open and shut the phone satisfied some deep, restless urge, and the same was true for the rotational flourish of the wrist involved in opening and closing the knife.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026
The basal ganglia get better at their job during the first thirty years of life; this is partly why kids are more impulsive and restless than adults.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of restless

Adjective

The most finicky part of the setup was actually inserting the battery for the igniter.

— Noah Kaufman, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
The oversized trench coat maintains its spot in the fall capsule wardrobe, while a few more unexpected silhouettes, like the elevated track jacket, offer both protection and elegance in the notoriously finicky weather to come.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of finicky

Adjective

Full-scale, 10-foot Hulk standins helped actors and camera crews judge his dimensions on set, and even his pants required careful attention.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Turning a field into a recognizable maze requires specialized planning and careful execution.

— Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Next up is a house tour, from the cavernous, all-white living room to a glimpse of the ornate indoor pool, with V lamenting that the place is so huge he sometimes gets lost.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
Many of its original details, from formal entry galleries and large terraces to ornate moldings and herringbone floors, remain.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornate

Adjective

Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Coach There’s no better feeling than walking into your last show of the day, irritable and hungry, only to discover that snacks are being served.

— Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

The limited prep area has forced me to be incredibly picky about which tools and appliances to display and which to relegate to cabinets.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
In today’s uneven market, dealers and advisers are being especially picky about which fairs to attend.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of picky

Adjective

Harris also helped shape the movie’s imagination sequences, pushing Pixar’s artists toward more spontaneous, painterly images rather than the studio’s usual meticulous realism.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
While the restorations are only to the marble surface of the building, the meticulous nature of the job would have disrupted all aspects of the Plaza experience for would-be guests.

— Timothy Latterner, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of meticulous

Adjective

Since the incident, the flamingo has been doing all right physically but is more anxious and nervous when being evaluated, said Peachy’s veterinarian, Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
As the military-style helicopter hovered above them, attendees from the rural, predominantly Latino community, began to get nervous.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous

Browse Nearby Words

fusspots

fussy

fustian

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Style

“Fussy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fussy

adjective

Example Sentences

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