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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 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 An updo can definitely be formal without looking fussy, and this is a masterclass in hitting exactly the notes. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026 Baby is fussy, so back to Mom to eat as suitor Robert Pattinson tries his shot at Anne Hathaway. — Zachary Pincus-Roth, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 It’s designed to flatter various body types without feeling tight or fussy. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fussy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussy

Adjective

Created in 1958, the ballet felt unmistakably New York in its sound, its street clothes, its restless young people, its particular brand of cool.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Recorded in Texas and rooted in the sound of the border, Bobby Pulido’s enduring classic turns restless longing into warm, danceable energy.

— qygwork, Billboard, 28 Sep. 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

Democratic congressional candidates will also need to be careful about balancing partisan messages to their base with more measured appeals to independent voters.

— Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
But perhaps the biggest challenge of all was being extremely careful not to pass moral judgment on the story or any of the characters being portrayed.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

And John Hancock’s grand, ornate signature on the Declaration of Independence became so famous that his name is now a term for signatures in general.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
On Thursday morning the ornate marble lobby of the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan was turned into a museum of Hollywood history.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornate

Adjective

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
If a relative or housemate seems irritable, ask what’s going on instead of working around the mood.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

In today’s uneven market, dealers and advisers are being especially picky about which fairs to attend.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
But even Cruise has learned the hard way that moviegoers have become pickier about what’s worth getting off the couch for.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of picky

Adjective

The glitzy brand, which started with its Singapore flagship in 1887, is known for its meticulous opulence and highly personalized service.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Everett is meticulous and thorough, if eccentric, carefully considering all kinds of little details for his character.

— Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of meticulous

Adjective

Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.

— David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fussy

adjective

Example Sentences

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