as in fogey
a person with old-fashioned ideas
a fuddy-duddy who thought that anyone too young to vote shouldn't be out past 8:00 p.m.
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as in stodgy
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Recent Examples of fuddy-duddy
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
The good news is that for every fuddy-duddy like myself who can’t seem to get on board with crowdfunding kids’ lives, there are twice as many generous, kind-hearted individuals willing to give a little—or a lot—toward schools, sports, and charities.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Feb. 2024
Another group of screenwriters have mocked Ms. Lombardini online as a fuddy-duddy who hangs out at chain restaurants, the taunt being that no Hollywood person would be caught dead in one.
—John Koblin, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2023
And that’s part of what the Oscars, in their slightly fuddy-duddy way, can do: confer respectability on popular movies that represent groundbreaking achievement.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
Noun
Her characters were women whose roles often implied their own eventual replacements: teachers, fading former love interests, fuddy-duddy old-fashioned relics.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
The good news is that for every fuddy-duddy like myself who can’t seem to get on board with crowdfunding kids’ lives, there are twice as many generous, kind-hearted individuals willing to give a little—or a lot—toward schools, sports, and charities.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Feb. 2024
Another group of screenwriters have mocked Ms. Lombardini online as a fuddy-duddy who hangs out at chain restaurants, the taunt being that no Hollywood person would be caught dead in one.
—John Koblin, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2023
And that’s part of what the Oscars, in their slightly fuddy-duddy way, can do: confer respectability on popular movies that represent groundbreaking achievement.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuddy-duddy
Adjective
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My intention was to suggest a consensus approach that could overcome the stodgy staff guarding the City’s credit rating to try something new.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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The Pacers took advantage of stodgy Knicks offense to get back into the game.—
Shakeia Taylor,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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What grievances have Trump and high-profile conservatives aired with U.S. banks? Criticism amongst conservatives and Republicans have long been aimed at banking institutions for imposing restrictions on firearms and other issues.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
4 June 2025
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Robby Soave delivers radar on a new study released by Nate Silver that suggests that 45 percent of liberal voters reported having poor mental health compared with 19 percent of conservatives.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The dowdy and shy Ursula is diabetic and has lost her eyesight in one eye.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
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Machi plays a dowdy tax inspector closing in on a Shakira-style Latina singer for tax fraud.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Noun
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It was founded by Google veteran Jeff Shardell in Taos, New Mexico.—
Cathy Hackl,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Civilians, like Gene Burt, and veterans alike are honored on the Liberty Memorial’s Walk of Honor.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fuddy-duddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuddy-duddy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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