prissy

adjective

Definition of prissynext
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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prissy
  1. nice
  2. demanding
  3. delicate
  4. particular
  5. careful
  6. prim
  7. finicky
  8. critical
Adjective
  • There’s a place downtown called Soul Classics that’s really nice, like street-wear stuff.
    — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Not easy to do, but nice to come through tonight.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Scene-stealing comedic parts in the Pitch Perfect franchise and on series like Modern Family led to more physically demanding opportunities in series like The Righteous Gemstones.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s a brief comparison between top programs in the United States and the United Kingdom: • U.S. Programs (e.g., Wharton, Kellogg): These are typically two years long with frequent in-person sessions; these programs offer an immersive but demanding experience.
    — Shai Zamanian, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • The graceful curvature of the leather seatbacks and straps encasing the sofas were a marvel, somehow both sturdy and delicate.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Loose clusters of delicate, sweetly-scented flowers appear in April and May.
    — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The final contestants from Group C — Nessy, Mad Scientist Monster, and Yorkie — did not follow that particular decades trend, opting to jump around more in time instead.
    — Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Javadi, in particular, seems unsure whether this experience has discouraged her from pursuing a career in emergency medicine.
    — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of particular
Adjective
  • These concerns underscore the need for careful consideration of privacy rights when deploying such technology.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Behind the Nissan Leaf, a driver of an Audi was having none of this careful robot driving malarkey and overtook us both at speed and clearly with some frustration.
    — Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Victoria prefers things prim and respectable.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
  • This place defines prim and proper.
    — Amanda Nguyen, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of prim
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of finicky
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
  • Hydration is also critical for a fresh-faced look, so these face serums also contain humectants like hyaluronic acid.
    — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

prisons
prissy
pristine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prissy. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on prissy

Nglish: Translation of prissy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All