fuss 1 of 2

noun

ˈfəs How to pronounce fuss (audio)
Definition of fussnext
1
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent she made a fuss over not being picked for the lead role in the play

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2
as in huff
a state of nervous or irritated concern the new parents are always in a fuss over whether the baby is dressed warmly enough

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3
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity the company managed the move into the new building without any undue fuss

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4
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment none of the employees dared to make a fuss over having to come to work in the huge snowstorm

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fuss

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely the eldest daughter is always fussing that she gets stuck with all the chores around the house

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2
as in to rave
to make an exaggerated display of affection or enthusiasm fans fussing over their favorite rock guitarist

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3
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

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4
as in to drool
to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior given to fussing over her father whenever she wants a favor or some ready cash

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5
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety there is no use in fussing over things that you can't control

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6
as in to bother
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy you shouldn't let a little thing like that fuss you

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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
With the film opening in theaters across the US on Friday, audiences now have their turn to see what all the fuss is about. — David MacK, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Bobby and Judy Edwards (Season 6, Episode 9) The sharks were roundly impressed by the Squatty Potty, an admittedly miraculous restroom accessory that helps people do their business with a minimum of fuss. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it. — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 No need to fuss-up something that's just as delicious prepared simply. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuss
  1. objection
  2. huff
  3. commotion
  4. whine
  5. complain
  6. rave
  7. quibble
  8. drool
Noun
  • The work was temporarily delayed by objections raised by the Georgia Ports Authority, part of a long-running feud between GPA leaders and Dulany.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The standard objection is that ordinary citizens do not read disclosures.
    — Tal Feldman, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • For trick-or-treating, the department warned that small children may be afraid of dogs, while dogs themselves may be afraid of all the commotion with gaggles of kids coming to the door.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Our Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog saw them too and enthusiastically let out a small whine.
    — Kody Lostroh, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Someone else even complained about the self-clean feature ruining their appliance.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
  • By July, morale among immigration officers had dipped below its nadir during the Biden Administration, with agents now complaining of being overextended, inundated with novice recruits, and undermined by inflammatory rhetoric from on high.
    — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Continue reading … FAT CHANCE — Viral wellness ritual celebrities rave about could quietly pack on the pounds.
    — , FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Crowds raved until sunrise and woke up on some of the world's softest sand.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of rave
Verb
  • Advertisement Given all the change that artificial intelligence is predicted to bring, quibbling over word choice might seem pedantic, like arguing about the Latin name of a tree’s species while the forest burns.
    — David Litt, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • If the difference between these positions seems far too minor to quibble over, that is, in part, the point.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of quibble
Verb
  • Dogs that spend time outdoors, shed heavily, drool frequently, or have accidents may need more frequent cleaning.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of drool

Phrases Containing fuss

Browse Nearby Words

fusions
fuss
fuss (about or over)
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Cite this Entry

“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuss. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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