Synonyms of fussy

fussy

adjective

ˈfə-sē 

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

• restless
• irritable
• nervous
• grumpy
• displeased
• grouchy
• querulous
• crabby
• dissatisfied
• cranky
• fidgety
• uneasy
• squirmy
• wiggly
• twitchy
• fretful
• discontented
• disgruntled
• restive
• antsy
• peevish
• wriggly
• cantankerous
• ornery
• snappish
• petulant
• worrisome
• irascible
• testy
• waspish
• crotchety
• pettish
• cross
• choleric
• snippy
• short-tempered
• perverse
• quick-tempered
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• patient
• tolerant
• stoical
• uncomplaining
• stoic
• amiable
• forbearing
• agreeable
• long-suffering
• gracious
• good-natured
• affable
• genial
• good-humored
• complaisant
• accommodating
• good-tempered
• obliging
• easygoing
• well-disposed
• relaxed
• laid-back

2

as in finicky

hard to please

cats have a well-deserved reputation for being fussy eaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finicky
• picky
• careful
• nice
• persnickety
• demanding
• choosy
• fastidious
• choosey
• particular
• pernickety
• dainty
• exacting
• delicate
• finical
• meticulous
• selective
• finicking
• fussbudgety
• old-maidish
• discerning
• discriminating
• critical
• captious
• knowledgeable
• hypercritical
• punctilious
• scrupulous
• painstaking
• insightful
• peevish
• squeamish
• overcritical
• faultfinding
• petulant
• prissy
• touchy
• queasy
• overdemanding
• ultrafastidious
• hyperfastidious
• prim
• prickly
• carping
• cavilling
• queazy
• caviling
• niminy-piminy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undemanding
• carefree
• relaxed
• lackadaisical
• affable
• flexible
• loose
• low-pressure
• breezy
• unfussy
• lax
• lenient
• permissive
• unfastidious
• uncritical
• laid-back
• happy-go-lucky
• devil-may-care
• undiscriminating
• indiscriminating

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

• careful
• meticulous
• loving
• conscientious
• diligent
• painstaking
• scrupulous
• thorough
• cautious
• patient
• intensive
• thoughtful
• finicky
• strict
• particular
• assiduous
• watchful
• indefatigable
• vigilant
• wary
• attentive
• fastidious
• exhaustive
• mindful
• thoroughgoing
• observant
• circumspect
• sedulous
• critical
• slow
• chary
• deliberate
• discriminating
• accurate
• demanding
• persevering
• precise
• zealous
• alert
• exacting
• guarded
• tenacious
• tireless
• determined
• exact
• studied
• heedful
• plodding
• gingerly
• dogged
• all-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careless
• regardless
• inattentive
• cursory
• unsafe
• negligent
• sloppy
• halfhearted
• mindless
• heedless
• slovenly
• lax
• neglectful
• incautious
• slipshod
• imprecise
• unwary
• inaccurate
• unguarded
• uncritical
• lazy
• reckless
• undemanding
• undiscriminating
• impetuous
• indifferent
• bold
• rash
• lackadaisical
• apathetic
• lazyish

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

• ornate
• loud
• overwrought
• baroque
• extravagant
• decorated
• overdecorated
• gingerbread
• adorned
• lacy
• florid
• gilded
• ornamented
• gingerbready
• dressed
• showy
• bedizened
• swanky
• gingerbreaded
• trimmed
• spectacular
• gaudy
• garish
• rococo
• pretentious
• glitzy
• flamboyant
• frilly
• tawdry
• arabesque
• flashy
• elaborate
• ostentatious
• swank
• enriched
• embroidered
• gilt
• extreme
• decked
• laced
• bejewelled
• intensified
• splashy
• enhanced
• garnished
• heightened
• flowery
• embellished
• embossed
• arrayed
• chased
• bedaubed
• bedecked
• fringed
• bejeweled
• sequinned
• garlanded
• sequined
• beautified
• wreathed
• bossed
• flounced
• emblazoned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• severe
• plain
• austere
• unadorned
• stark
• naked
• simple
• bare
• stripped
• exposed
• modest
• unassuming
• uncovered
• unpretentious
• conservative
• quiet
• restrained
• subdued
• unobtrusive
• tasteful
• understated
• denuded
• muted
• toned-down

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fussy

Carruth’s broad goal of rose breeding and hybridization is to make the rose a contender with all plants, rather than a fussy queen of the garden. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

If all that seems too fussy, remember that there's always no-bake cheesecakes. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025

Healy initially comes across as a well-meaning older boss, if a bit fussy and defensive, and her comically compliant assistant Sandra (Ashlyn Lozano) takes her own notes during the meeting, with her back to much of the audience. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

Lisa from Blackpink), fussy resort manager Fabian (Christian Friedel), and actress turned hotelier Sritala (Lek Patravadi). —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025