FINICKY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

finicky

adjective

ˈfi-ni-kē

Definition of finicky

as in careful

hard to please cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 finicky In This Article Orchids might seem like finicky houseplants, but with the proper care, that grocery store stunner can bloom for years and years. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026 Their odds of winning the World Series – a famously finicky task prone to small sample size flukes – were over 25%, one-in-four for one of baseball’s 30 teams. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Although ficus trees can be finicky, their flexibility and natural beauty are just as pleasant to gaze upon in the 2020s, both indoors and outdoors. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026 While Michael King struggled to finish off finicky and plucky Diamondbacks hitters, the real issue and the real worry was on the other side of the ball. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finicky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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

The team then turned to an open-source model developed in China, which was less persnickety.

— Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Imagine creating a new standard of hypersensitive caution about attracting even the most persnickety media criticism, and then applying it for the first time to your son’s wedding.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Definition of persnickety

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

Also, a foul ball hit by almost any player would be a nice souvenir.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Sure enough, there were a few hares in the field and the grass was just long enough to give a bit of protection to the hares and set a nice backdrop for the photographs.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

True crime stories also happen to be a particular forte for the creative team, stressed François Aramburu, co-producer at Fontaram Productions.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Someone with a visa valid for several more years, for example, might still be admitted for only a few months on a particular trip.

— Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of particular

Adjective

The rooms Even the fussiest will be hard-pressed to find fault with them.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
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, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of fussy

Adjective

Oeffling is not new to music, but his artistic career is one that’s developed with more of a shrug than fastidious dedication.

— Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
His pencil mustache, his fastidious gestures, and his twinkling eyes are at least as famous as his drinks.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of fastidious

Adjective

Lawrence’s casting is a coup – for any studio, really – as the actress is known for being quite choosy.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Schumann has seen how Dan Lanning was choosy and didn’t leave a good situation until a job the caliber of Oregon came into the picture.

— Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of choosy

Browse Nearby Words

finicking

finicky

fining

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Finicky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finicky. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of finicky

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes