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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The Savannah Bananas took on the Firefighters (another team that has dance numbers in their playbook) in a game that was closer to a slapstick vaudeville act than a stodgy MLB game.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2025
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Besides, a high-fiber breakfast doesn’t have to mean one that’s stodgy or boring.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Green energy roll-backs The bill would cut off many green energy tax credits for projects beginning 60 days after the bill passes – a major priority and last-minute change for fiscal conservatives who were hoping to shave more off the cost of the bill.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The changes included speedier implementation of the Medicaid work requirements, which will begin in December 2026, rather than January 2029, and a faster rollback of the production tax credits for clean electricity projects, both sought by the conservatives.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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These designs deliver on arch support without feeling dowdy.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With Jarrett and the rookie Turner entering the rotation with Dexter and returning veteran tackles Chris Williams, Zacch Pickens and Jonathan Ford, the Bears have created some healthy competition at defensive tackle.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
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In addition to the soldiers who died at Camp Sumter, Andersonville National Cemetery is also the final resting place for thousands of service members from just about every U.S. conflict, not all of whom were prisoners of war but all of whom are veterans.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fuddy-duddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuddy-duddy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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