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
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
It’s a corny, sporty early-’90s rom-com about a hockey bruiser and a prissy figure skater who team up against the odds to compete in Olympic pairs skating.
—Vulture, 7 Feb. 2022
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
After her father’s death, Delilah Green grew up in the company of her frosty stepmother, Isabel, and prissy stepsister, Astrid—so as soon as high school was over, Delilah left town and never looked back.
—Keely Weiss, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Feb. 2022
Bows may seem prissy, but there's actually surprisingly versatile.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2021
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
It’s a corny, sporty early-’90s rom-com about a hockey bruiser and a prissy figure skater who team up against the odds to compete in Olympic pairs skating.
—Vulture, 7 Feb. 2022
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
After her father’s death, Delilah Green grew up in the company of her frosty stepmother, Isabel, and prissy stepsister, Astrid—so as soon as high school was over, Delilah left town and never looked back.
—Keely Weiss, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Feb. 2022
Bows may seem prissy, but there's actually surprisingly versatile.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prissy
Adjective
-
Ice is not nice The ice at American Airlines Center was a huge problem in Game 2, with players on both teams falling down left and right.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
And the honeycomb design isn’t just nice on the eyes.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the last two decades, the number of hospitals and diagnostic centers has already increased sixfold, and there’s room for many more, particularly those that value quality, which patients are increasingly demanding and becoming aware of.—
Sylvana Quader Sinha,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
In making such a claim, Bonhoeffer moved the aim of conscience away from obedience to rational principles and to the more demanding and concrete love for God and one’s living, breathing, suffering neighbor.—
David DeCosse,
Mercury News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hoffman recalls of including the delicate destination nods.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Soft and delicate fragrances of spring flowers and mandarins.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In his reply to Gordon-Levitt, Shatner also explained why that particular date was chosen in the first place.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The Trump administration has demanded that universities dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and suppress student protests on campus, in particular related to the war in Gaza.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.—
Terry Baddoo,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Yet Schlossberg is careful to note that May did not shadow-direct the movie during production.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Jean Marsh, the sleek British actress who co-created Upstairs, Downstairs and won an Emmy for her performance as the prim and proper parlormaid Rose Buck on the acclaimed ITV drama, has died.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2025
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As far as the street style crowd goes, the styling of these chunky bracelets has been equally as varied—we’ve seen resin bangle bracelets worn with lush suede pieces, minimalist outfits, quiet luxury looks, and prim suits.—
Rosana Lai,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But our biggest gripe with the classic Cuisinart design is how finicky these elements can be.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The conditions that can foster a super bloom are finicky and delicate.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The win was also critical for the Lakers (49-31) who are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the rival Clippers in the loaded West.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Having visibility across not only tier 1 but tier 2 and 3 suppliers to navigate risk, disruption, trade and more is critical.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prissy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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