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
-
Not that mom was complaining all that much about her daughter's efforts.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
For decades state and local officials have joined ordinary Americans in complaining that FEMA's response to natural disasters is too slow and complicated.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Symptoms may begin within minutes, which include heavy drooling—especially in cats—and redness on the skin and in or around the mouth.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
-
On day eight of his partial paralysis, Nini finally stopped drooling and could now walk gingerly.—
Tao Lin,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 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
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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
-
This willingness of the AI to heap praise and act as a sycophant has worrying consequences for the populace as a whole.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, Federal Reserve policymakers have already started worrying about the housing market.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There's other important bathroom etiquette travelers should keep in mind to avoid bothering flight attendants.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Lead with Gratitude and Grace Calling out someone for bothering you is always tricky.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His children can be heard screaming and crying in the video.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Dudes who can’t get in get into screaming matches with Jah at the door, and the party extends out into the street where neighbors start peeking out their windows and standing on their porches shaking their heads.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thrill seekers love Dollywood’s soaring roller coasters (and its iconic cinnamon bread worth raving about), while the area's plethora of dinner shows, zip lines soaring over the Smokies, and even its full-scale Titanic replica draw families year after year.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Sep. 2025
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Multi-Styler, which our editors reviewed in its earlier form and couldn’t stop raving about.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fussing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fussing. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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