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fuss

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verb

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as in to rave
to make an exaggerated display of affection or enthusiasm fans fussing over their favorite rock guitarist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to quibble
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant the picky eater who fusses over the arrangement of food on his plate or who won't eat the rice if it touches the salad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 fuss
Noun
The deep pockets add both style and practicality—great for a mom to put her card and keys in without the fuss of a purse. Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 16 June 2025 Through all that high entertainment, Spaun went out in the morning with hardly a fuss and nary a bogey. Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Verb
Soon, there will be crying; there will be nursing and burping and spitting up and fussing and playing and giggles and bath time and trying to get this damn baby to sleep through the night. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 May 2025 As Harper, from Queensland, Australia, pet Olive and stroked her face gently, her furious golden retriever, named Cub, sat upright and appeared to frown at his owner for fussing anyone other than him. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuss
Noun
  • His objection automatically ended debate, per Council rules, and led Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who spoke favorably of the resolution, to send it to the Committee on Civil Rights, Immigrant Advancement and Racial Equity.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
  • About 4,000 Army National Guard troops have been training at the Los Alamitos base since June 8, when they were federalized — over the objection of Gov. Gavin Newsom — on orders from President Donald Trump.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Play was delayed for several minutes when a spectator needed medical attention after Alcaraz noticed the commotion in the stands.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
  • There followed a small commotion of friendliness—apologies, laughter—after which we were led to our seats and sent a free passion-fruit donut.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine's Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.
    Pavel Polityuk, USA Today, 4 July 2025
  • Pretty soon, the whine of the gears, the shriek of the diff, and the sheer cacophony of combustion make conversation all but impossible.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • But this scraping has sparked a huge backlash from publishers, artists and writers, who complain that it has been done without any consent or compensation.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Waiting for a frustrated customer to complain about blackout dates is defense.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Still, teammates routinely raved about his talent and penchant for winning plays.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 24 June 2025
  • Celery juice, raving…and the collapse of the free world by Jennifer Esposito At her A Rebellious Life substack, actress Jen Esposito addresses the realities of being an artist today, while also offering a dose of inspiration for those under the weight of dark times.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • That was the number that the secretary was quibbling over.
    / CBS News, CBS News, 1 June 2025
  • The new administration can quibble with the technical points of the listing, Koch said, but that will do nothing to change the reality: The bird is at risk of extinction and needs to be protected.
    Benji Jones, Vox, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The signs of a dog that is overheating include unusually excess panting and rapid breathing, drooling, lethargy or disorientation, and if their gums are bright red.
    Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 6 July 2025
  • Panting, drooling, rapid heart rate and pale gums also point to the condition, and the dog may position its body in a downward-facing pose.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuss. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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