as in complaining
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in screaming
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drooling
to make an exaggerated display of affection or enthusiasm
fans fussing over their favorite rock guitarist
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in moaning
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
4
as in fawning
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
there is no use in fussing over things that you can't control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
you shouldn't let a little thing like that fuss you
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fussing
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Your son is fussing in his car seat.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Emma looked around, confused at the adults fussing around him and too young, perhaps, to grasp the severity of the scene.
—Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
As the migrants boarded, a man hoisted one of the passengers in the air, a fussing 8-month-old baby whose face was flushed red from the heat.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
This was the mid 1980s and tandem skydiving hadn’t been popularized yet, so his father, Roger, adjusted accordingly by stuffing carpet padding into the leg pads to stop him from fussing.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Helen bending at her wide waist, fussing again with the shoe, a cream leather high-top, cursing quietly under her breath, hair falling into her face.
—Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
No more fussing, fumbling, or making a mess of my counter.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Ever the dedicated mother, Stacy runs to her adult daughter’s aid, fussing at her for not using a driver for her errands.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Your son is fussing in his car seat.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Emma looked around, confused at the adults fussing around him and too young, perhaps, to grasp the severity of the scene.
—Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
As the migrants boarded, a man hoisted one of the passengers in the air, a fussing 8-month-old baby whose face was flushed red from the heat.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
This was the mid 1980s and tandem skydiving hadn’t been popularized yet, so his father, Roger, adjusted accordingly by stuffing carpet padding into the leg pads to stop him from fussing.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Helen bending at her wide waist, fussing again with the shoe, a cream leather high-top, cursing quietly under her breath, hair falling into her face.
—Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussing
Adjective
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An energy vampire has bad body language, the complaining look on their face, the vocal complainer.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Richter’s grand slam Tuesday against Tinley Park ended with plenty of screaming and high-fives at home plate.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Any passengers not knocked out during the chaos or sucked out into the sky are generally screaming and grabbing for oxygen masks while Captain Rich makes a futile announcement about the importance of not panicking.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chase Reid, meanwhile, just put together a better-than-point-per-game season in the OHL and has the loud tools — the escapability and skating speed in particular — that have NHL scouts positively drooling.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Predators respond with head shaking, gaping, drooling, and frantic licking.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But a male voice could be heard moaning in the background.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And if fawning over flora is your thing, a new report by online casino Spinblitz might inspire you to book a getaway.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Infantino’s gesture might strike people unacquainted with World Cup history as shamelessly fawning.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Air quality concerns Smoke continued to linger Wednesday, worrying residents.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Investors previously challenged the company's aggressive spending initiatives, worrying that new tech investments would take time to pay off.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The death toll includes at least 19 children, 21 non-protesting civilians, and 165 in government or security forces.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
17 Jan. 2026
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Among the dead were 13 children and 14 non-protesting civilians, HRANA said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fussing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussing. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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