PERNICKETY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

pernickety

adjective

pər-ˈni-kə-tē

Definition of pernickety

chiefly British

as in careful

hard to please an Oxford don who's definitely a pernickety old chap

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pernickety Perhaps this pernickety attention to detail is just the next logical step after years of falsification? — Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pernickety

Adjective

And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

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

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

Unlike Adler Dolomiti, Adler Balance is adults-only and has a particular focus on wellness.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
All of that aligns the series with a particular strain of reality show in which participants are expected to follow certain patterns of behavior that can be neatly edited into episodic arcs.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of particular

Adjective

For the no nonsense, a low-maintenance cut like a sharp collarbone lob or a style with no fussy layers frees up your time and hands to plot world domination.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026
Celebrity hairstylist Brian Magallones considers this the perfect balance between a not-too-fussy and not-too-structured chignon, a style that sounds tough to style without a professional team but is actually quite easy to master at-home.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of fussy

Adjective

Rob Haugen of Michels Family Office said uncertainty over where interest rates are headed has made the firm pickier about investing in the asset class.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The limited prep area has forced me to be incredibly picky about which tools and appliances to display and which to relegate to cabinets.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of picky

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

And as routine tasks are automated, workers could lose opportunities to develop the experience needed for more demanding work.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of demanding

Browse Nearby Words

pernicious

pernickety

perorate

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“Pernickety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernickety. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pernickety

adjective

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