fuss

noun

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\ ˈfəs

Definition of fuss

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : needless bustle or excitement They got down to business without any fuss.

b : a show of flattering attention made a big fuss over his favorite niece

2a : a state of agitation especially over a trivial matter in a fuss and stew all afternoon— Molly L. Bar-David

b : objection, protest She accepted the new assignment without any fuss.

c : an often petty controversy or quarrel the fuss they are raising … over certain words and phrases— B. J. Hendricks

fuss

verb

fussed; fussing; fusses

Definition of fuss (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to create or be in a state of restless activity especially : to shower flattering attentions fussing over the grandchildren

b : to pay close or undue attention to small details fussed with her hair

2a : to become upset : worry

b : to express annoyance or pique : complain

transitive verb

: agitate, upset

Other Words from fuss Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing fuss Learn More About fuss

Examples of fuss in a Sentence

Noun They got down to business without any fuss. What is all the fuss about? Her new novel has caused quite a fuss. I don't want to make a fuss, but this soup is cold. Verb She'll fuss the whole time we're gone. I told him not to fuss. The baby fussed all day. Stop fussing and get to work! He's fussing about his new assignment. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Patriots organization has made a big fuss over the Renegades these last two seasons, hosting a championship sendoff at Gillette Stadium, and flying them to their title games on the team plane. — Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Terrell, who kicked up a fuss at this spring’s Luck Reunion at Nelson’s ranch, croons about the state’s wide open spaces, its gorgeous springtime bluebonnets, and the ubiquitous sounds of a steel guitar, played here by Simon Page. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2022 In the courtroom that day, David Schoen, a small, excitable man who is one of Bannon’s defense attorneys, made a fuss over a witness called by the government–Kristin Amerling, deputy staff director and chief counsel to the January 6th Committee. — Adele M. Stan, The New Republic, 21 July 2022 Milwaukee General Manager Jon Horst made a fuss about the lack of calls for the Bucks against Boston, while Celtics Coach Ime Udoka grumbled for the opposite reason. — New York Times, 20 May 2022 This inequality will fade, and my future children will wonder what the fuss was about. — Melissa Hart, Longreads, 28 June 2022 The more word-of-mouth chatter a series gets, the more people will sign up to see what the fuss is about. — Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 22 June 2022 Chandler quarterback Dylan Raiola showed on his first pass at Arizona State on Thursday night what all the fuss is about. — Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2022 Garrett Hickey, an owner and the managing brewer at Cincinnati’s Streetside Brewery, doesn’t understand why traditionalists would make a fuss about marshmallow as an ingredient. — Gary Stoller, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb When Calder begins to fuss, Basile gently thumps his head against the wheelchair’s headrest, softly jostling the chair and soothing the baby. — Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 Known as the de minimis rule, the exemption has been around for decades, deriving its name from the Latin term for something too small to fuss with. — Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2022 Don’t want to fuss around with a pitcher full of water? — Mike Rose, cleveland, 6 Apr. 2022 There's no promo code to fuss with entering to get these savings. — Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 14 Mar. 2022 Discounted prices are shown on the product pages, so there's no need to fuss with entering a promo code. — Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 4 Mar. 2022 The technology frees parents from having to fuss at their kids about their TV viewing, going so far as to black out the screen when someone is too close. — Chris Morris, Fortune, 7 Jan. 2022 Having a bunch of different people to fuss over — probably still crossing boundaries, but spread out widely enough to outrun people’s objections — probably gave her purpose. — Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2022 Each product is clearly marked with the new low price, so there's no need to fuss over adding a promo code at checkout to get the additional discount. — Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 28 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fuss.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.