as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
predictably, the royal scandal caused quite a kerfuffle on Fleet Street
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Recent Examples of kerfuffle
There are kerfuffles down at the hardware store, and a moaning moose makes his presence known near the motel where Ulysses is staying.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 Apr. 2026
Katya appeared in the season 5 trailer for a brief moment, seemingly wearing Deborah Vance drag, as Smart and Einbinder’s characters rushed the drag queen and started a kerfuffle.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
This wasn’t Rousseau’s first time creating a language kerfuffle as CEO of Air Canada.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
In 2014, there was a kerfuffle involving Westerly putting his house up for auction due to him owing $8,000 in back taxes, but it was quickly resolved when the taxes were paid.
—Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kerfuffle
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 Apr. 2026
Katya appeared in the season 5 trailer for a brief moment, seemingly wearing Deborah Vance drag, as Smart and Einbinder’s characters rushed the drag queen and started a kerfuffle.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
This wasn’t Rousseau’s first time creating a language kerfuffle as CEO of Air Canada.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
In 2014, there was a kerfuffle involving Westerly putting his house up for auction due to him owing $8,000 in back taxes, but it was quickly resolved when the taxes were paid.
—Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kerfuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kerfuffle
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
-
Frozen fresh peppers are excellent for stir frys, soups, stews, sauces, and more.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
Seemingly sporting strange rooftop structures, these vehicles are causing something of a stir in the news cycle.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
This misalignment, sustained over years, is associated with elevated risk for depression, metabolic disturbance and impaired cognition.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Though signals may overlap (compaction, moisture, and disturbance, after all, can exist all at once), the presence of particular weeds, without overanalyzing them, can lend helpful clues to what your desirable garden plants need done in order to thrive.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
In the 1980s, many people didn't understand what the fuss was about, longtime broadcast journalist Joie Chen recalls.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Since then, thousands have flocked to theaters nationwide to see the award-winning performer and find out what all the fuss is about.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The most recent turmoil stems from the second of two rulings from the state’s highest court that focused on a referendum campaign, called People Not Politicians, that last year turned in more than 305,000 signatures to force a November statewide vote on the map.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
The cuts deepen the turmoil at Air India, following a devastating crash last year and the departure of its CEO last month.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Everyone was in a hurry to move forward into a newly peaceful world, a world without the tragedies of war abroad and the curse of sickness at home.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
Kiffin knows that, in Oxford and everywhere else, the love of fans and donors can sour in a hurry.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kerfuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kerfuffle. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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