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
Relevance
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 whining
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in complaining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fussing
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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fussing
Verb
-
And the truth is, other nations should stop complaining — and start learning.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Thus, unlike disgruntled newspaper readers, whose only resort was to write an angry letter to the editor, radio listeners could now vent their frustrations by going over the heads of a local affiliate and complaining directly to the government.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Well, then it’s being stolen right out from under its retracting proboscis, which is actually just another drooling head that lives in its mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The most common symptoms of teething include drooling, putting fingers or fists in their mouth, swollen or puffy gums, difficulty sleeping, crankiness and fussiness, per the institution.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many of the people opining and whining about how this moment could be as bad or worse than the 2000 bust are uninformed or ahistorical.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Social media, then, too, was flooded with morally bankrupt leftists lauding the killing and fawning over the killer.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Rob Reiner is back as fawning filmmaker Marty DiBergi, with cameos including Elton John, Questlove and Paul McCartney.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Interest wanes during the summer, except for mowing, watering and worrying about this or that patch of dead grass.—
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp,
IndyStar,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Typically this can include cognitive symptoms, like worrying about everything all the time, and a host of physical symptoms.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Even scrambling around, his knee was bothering him.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, Darvish will get to pitch in front of a stadium of screaming, hopeful, nervous Cubs fans.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
There’s screaming electric guitar AND an orchestra.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And right now, Amazon customers are raving about the Zoosixx Wide-Leg Lounge Pants — which have a Prime member discount today.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Now, Taqueria El Asador has gained national attention, with Yelp users raving about tacos bursting with flavor.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fussing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussing. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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