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
The Amalfi Coast has become something of a cliché, but this reminds you what all the fuss was about in the first place. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 The time has finally come for Georgia inside linebacker Justin Williams to show what all that recruiting fuss was about. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 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
  • However, he was removed from the 2022 ballot after an Illinois election board upheld an objection to his campaign.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The council said its objection is in response to Bocelli’s past support for Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.
    — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Yet publishers complained to me about a new consolidation of power.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Many people took to social media to complain about not being able to order taxis or food delivery.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo wasted no time in starting to rave about the Heat culture, a phrase that has become a lightning rod for criticism from talking heads around the NBA — especially after the franchise slapped the word across shirts and jerseys.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • From rising stars who make mutant baile funk to rave queens shaping a raunchy new wave of techno-pop, here are the divas changing the face of club music.
    — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rave
Verb
  • 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
  • The debtor might quibble over the language of the charging order, but that's about it.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of quibble
Verb
  • 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
  • There was one of Melissa Gorga’s sprinkle cookies ground into the carpet, and there was Kelsey Swanson, passed out under the piano and drooling on the parquet.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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