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High-maintenance: meaning, definitions and examples

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high-maintenance

 

[ ˌhaɪ ˈmeɪntənəns ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in relationships

Requiring a lot of attention, effort, or resources to maintain; demanding or difficult to please.

Synonyms

demanding, difficult, needy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
high-maintenance

This term is used to describe someone who requires a lot of attention, effort, or resources. Often used in personal relationships or to describe objects that need constant care.

  • Jane is so high-maintenance; she always needs reassurance and attention
  • That car is very high-maintenance; it needs repairs almost every month
demanding

This word is used to describe someone or something that requires much effort, time, or attention, often in a strict or authoritative manner. Commonly used in professional or academic settings.

  • Her boss is very demanding, always expecting her to work late
  • The course was demanding, but I learned a lot
needy

This term describes someone who requires a lot of emotional support, attention, or help. Often used in personal relationships and can carry slight negative connotations.

  • Ever since the breakup, Tom has been really needy and calls me all the time
  • The project is in a needy phase and requires constant monitoring
difficult

This term is used to describe something or someone that is hard to deal with, understand, or overcome. Can be used in various situations, from everyday tasks to describing personalities.

  • The test was very difficult, so many students failed
  • Mike is a difficult person to work with because he never listens

Examples of usage

  • She's so high-maintenance, always needing expensive gifts and constant attention.
  • My ex-boyfriend was too high-maintenance for me, always expecting me to drop everything for him.

Etymology

The term 'high-maintenance' originated in the 1970s and is often used in the context of relationships to describe someone who requires a lot of effort to keep happy or satisfied. It can refer to a person who is demanding, particular, or fussy, especially in terms of their needs and expectations. The phrase has since become popular in casual conversation and is commonly used to describe individuals who have high standards or who need a lot of attention and care.