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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
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 Video footage of the animals shows the eagle fussing at the coyote and trying to chase it off. Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuss
Noun
  • Reports have indicated that Punk had the option to turn down performing at the event but did not voice any objections.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • If leaders moved ahead without altering the provisions, the measures could be challenged, requiring a 60-vote threshold to overcome objections.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 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
  • Noem stopped speaking for a brief moment during the commotion, then immediately continued.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Press became aware of West’s presence when there was a loud commotion outside the courtroom and a figure in a white-on-white denim outfit was spotted entering the public entrance at the 500 Pearl Street Courthouse.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Men clad in DayGlo vests and hardhats chatted as the whine of a flying cargo drone echoed through the valley.
    Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 23 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
  • Leaning over him, Mary drools into Stack’s mouth, her appetite soon his own.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 25 June 2025
  • The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends learning the signs of overheating in dogs such as excessive panting, restlessness, excessive drooling, unsteadiness, or abnormal gum and tongue color.
    Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 24 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuss. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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