1
as in finicky
hard to please
as she got older, she got more and more persnickety
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
lacked the patience to deal with such persnickety tasks as hanging wallpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aristocratic
being or characteristic of a person who has an offensive air of superiority and tends to ignore or disdain anyone regarded as inferior
his persnickety attitude lost him some friends when they found out what he really thinks of "their kind"
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 persnickety
Jonathan Pryce plays the persnickety headmaster who prefers to keep politics outside the school walls.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024
Kurkdjian’s policies as head of the department reflect both a persnickety attention to detail and an obsession with creative autonomy.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
But even with Ed Begley onboard as a doctor with tenuous ties to his Hippocratic oath, Elizabeth Perkins steals the show playing Funkhouser’s persnickety new flame, Marilyn.
—Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Others are patently unsuitable, notably a persnickety couple who prompt one of John’s rare outbursts of frustration with the process.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024
Working in visual effects had given him a persnickety lens on the world.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The more persnickety ones bemoan the product for dumbing down product creation and flooding the hobbyist market with lackluster goods.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Oct. 2011
All are notoriously persnickety when evaluating food prepared by the contestants, and the bar for excellence rises as the season progresses.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
But Wilson is in his comfort zone as ever with Anderson, playing Francis’s persnickety dedication to the trip’s itinerary with his typical generosity.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024
Kurkdjian’s policies as head of the department reflect both a persnickety attention to detail and an obsession with creative autonomy.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
But even with Ed Begley onboard as a doctor with tenuous ties to his Hippocratic oath, Elizabeth Perkins steals the show playing Funkhouser’s persnickety new flame, Marilyn.
—Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Others are patently unsuitable, notably a persnickety couple who prompt one of John’s rare outbursts of frustration with the process.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024
Working in visual effects had given him a persnickety lens on the world.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The more persnickety ones bemoan the product for dumbing down product creation and flooding the hobbyist market with lackluster goods.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Oct. 2011
All are notoriously persnickety when evaluating food prepared by the contestants, and the bar for excellence rises as the season progresses.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
But Wilson is in his comfort zone as ever with Anderson, playing Francis’s persnickety dedication to the trip’s itinerary with his typical generosity.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persnickety
Adjective
-
But there are many other types of ferns that are much less finicky indoors, including lemon button fern, crocodile fern, and bird’s nest fern.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Some houseplants are finicky about humidity, but African violets are usually content with standard household humidity levels.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But Kirby and Danielle said the past year has been incredibly challenging.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
-
His back nine was particularly challenging as the weather conditions deteriorated, resulting in one bogey and no birdies.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Such features, which began appearing in high-status homes around the 10th century, were rare and signified a royal or aristocratic residence.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Central France has been occupied off and on for thousands of years, by aristocratic families to nomadic tribes.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Be careful to not over mix the bread-stir just until combined for a better texture.—
Bev Barrett,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Mayor Cherelle Parker advises citizens on Thursday to be careful when celebrating the Super Bowl.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Nevertheless, the offer could make OpenAI’s reorganization plans more difficult – and significantly more expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
-
After deliberating for parts of three days during the punishment phase of the trial, some jurors told the Tribune the decision to impose the death penalty had been a difficult one.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Saxon, for instance, is filling the same spoiled, arrogant space as Jake Lacy’s Shane from Season One.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
-
From director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), who co-wrote the script with Eli Kent, The Rule of Jenny Pen centers on arrogant judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who has to live in a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The ice cream machines at McDonald’s are notoriously picky and will stop working for a variety of reasons.—
Jason Ogaard,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Gregory’s picky eating has been a long-running gag on the show, but when Erica bails on a hard-to-get reservation, Barbara encourages Gregory to fill in so Janine doesn’t have to cancel.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Bridge benefit for older workers: Another key proposal is the creation of a bridge benefit for older workers with a history of physically demanding work.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
In July 2023, Kidman told PEOPLE that production for Lioness is a demanding but gratifying process.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near persnickety
Cite this Entry
“Persnickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persnickety. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share