foofaraw

noun

ˈfü-fə-ˌrȯ How to pronounce foofaraw (audio)
Definition of foofarawnext
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity the foofaraw that accompanies any big wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 foofaraw For many Americans who don’t celebrate Christmas, sitting out the foofaraw while the whole country conducts Christmas consumption is an annual dose of alienation. — Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2020 What was Anne Boleyn up to while this whole Charles Brandon foofaraw was happening in England? — Anne Thériault, Longreads, 25 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foofaraw
  1. commotion
  2. fuss
  3. disturbance
  4. stir
  5. hurry
  6. turmoil
Noun
  • 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
  • That allowed passengers to hear the commotion and discover what was happening.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Save as a collection on MyRecipes Pasta night is always a good idea—especially when dinner comes together with big flavor and minimal fuss.
    — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There’s something classic about a plate of buffalo wings in front of a TV playing football, and this gets you there without any fuss.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • And in an unrelated incident on the morning of June 9, 2026, Jackson was arrested after Los Angeles police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his West Hills home late the previous night.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Jacobs was arrested May 26, three days after police officers came to his Wisconsin home to investigate a disturbance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • That's especially prevalent in the Oversized Graphic T-Shirt with enigmatic dates on the back -- those are already causing a stir in the fan community.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Grammy winner’s online feud with Art of Play has caused quite a stir on the internet over the past few days.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Don’t worry, the breakdown starts in a hurry and Cardellini is terrifying, if perhaps not as sympathetic as the series requires long-term.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Jahkeem Stewart played after being listed as a game-time decision on the injury report and recorded a quarterback hurry.
    — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurry
Noun
  • In the ensuing political turmoil, health workers went on strike, vaccine orders were delayed and follow-up vaccinations that usually accompany routine programs were disrupted.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Nationwide protests over the high cost of living roiled France on Saturday, adding to turmoil over public spending and debt ahead of a critical vote in the National Assembly.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of turmoil

Browse Nearby Words

foodstuffs
foofaraw
foofaraws
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Foofaraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foofaraw. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All