fuss 1 of 2

Definition of fussnext
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fuss

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verb

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as in to rave
to make an exaggerated display of affection or enthusiasm fans fussing over their favorite rock guitarist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety there is no use in fussing over things that you can't control

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 plants that earn their place in a hot-weather bed are the ones that keep blooming when the thermometer climbs, draw butterflies and hummingbirds without fuss and reward you with the kind of color that makes a morning cup of coffee on the porch feel like a small vacation. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 Tropical flair without tropical fuss Hibiscus is a tropical favorite with large, showy blooms that flourish in warm temperatures and add a vacation-like feel to patios all summer. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Jurgensen, Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff and play-by-play man Frank Herzog would fuss and laugh while both rooting for and criticizing the burgundy and gold. Barry Wilner, Baltimore Sun, 6 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 See All Example Sentences for fuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuss
Noun
  • Sherilyn Fenn's character, Audrey Horne, technically competed, but was only briefly featured in the episode because of the actress' staunch objection.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • Ars reviewed several objections to the settlement, as well as letters from objectors who claimed that the authors’ legal team was trying to unfairly shut them out from voicing concerns.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.
    Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The incident wasn’t the first time Nixon caused a commotion on the House floor over redistricting.
    Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
  • The employees will either be able to reach out to the culprit to quiet things down, or could transfer you to another room if the commotion doesn’t quit.
    Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Both motors stay at or below 45 dBA even at full power, something that will genuinely surprise anyone used to the whine of current-generation motors.
    Omar Kardoudi April 10, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The whine from that straight-cut gearbox alone is painfully loud, say nothing of the wide-open exhaust on the 4.0 L flat-six.
    Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Cassidy also complained that a new primary system enacted last year confused voters by requiring them to ask for a partisan ballot instead of the all-party primary previously in place.
    Thomas Beaumont, Fortune, 17 May 2026
  • So, what Rodriguez and Cohen Higgins are complaining about is what happens four and five years or even ten years down the line.
    Jim DeFede, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Thorne's fans quickly flocked to the comments section of her post to rave over her eye-catching look and return to red hair.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
  • Ricci raved about Griffin’s IQ on the floor.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Some handicappers quibble about his jockey (Luis Saez has never won the Kentucky Derby) or his margin of victory (a nose) at Gulfstream Park.
    Peter Keating, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • The location, gorgeous skyline view and broad strokes of the project offer plenty of intrigue — offer less to quibble with than, say, a Crossroads District plan that never moved past the to-be-determined stage of displacing local businesses.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Surrounded by a gaggle of microphones, cameras and other recording devices, Caleb Wilson offered up a nugget that probably left fans of North Carolina’s NBA team drooling.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
  • The dog, Russ, drowsed on the floor at his owner’s feet, drooling onto the tile.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuss. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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