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
Much fuss has been made online about these audience scores by a segment of the population who believe The Odyssey was destined to fail, and something sinister must be going on behind the scenes to produce these numbers. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Midfielder Joao Neves looks to move the ball on quickly, finding Bruno Fernandes with a quick pass, but Rodri is aware and instantly closes him down, barging him off the ball and returning the ball to his centre-back with minimal fuss. — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Verb
But my guess is that Schiele wasn’t all that fussed about proving his social worth. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026 Ever the dedicated mother, Stacy runs to her adult daughter’s aid, fussing at her for not using a driver for her errands. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Mar. 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
  • Fortunately, Gorbachev would drop his objections to SDI in time for both men to sign a landmark treaty in 1987 that abolished all intermediate range nuclear arms in Europe and made the entire world safer.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One man was quick enough to grab his ankle and let out a firm objection, but the foot slipped free from the boot and the houndsman was gone into the tight tunnel full of frantic dogs and furious bear.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 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
  • Hearing the commotion, John calls for Gates only for the assailant to kick through the door.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Sleep was beginning to finally visit the insomniacs and drunkards of T—in central Manila when a commotion louder than the usual domestic squabbles erupted from the room above Mang Calixto’s bakery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Kayley starts service with a positive attitude, hoping to give the guests no reason to complain.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That Sean Payton won by 20 on the road and still spent a good chunk of his postgame presser either complaining, yammering about Jack Lemmon, or both, is a heck of a good sign.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Her research started with the usual suspects of nightlife lore — 1920s Paris, 1970s disco and 1990s raves.
    — Lina Lecaro, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • After Jagger's video went viral, fans raved over the octogenarian's skills in the comments section of his post.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 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
  • Who had broken a wrist on the back-yard flagstones, drooled cherry medicine down her sleeping face on the car ride back from the hospital.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Stuff like Caitlin Clark getting mugged with no foul being called, or Sophie Cunningham pointing at some obnoxious player, or ESPN drooling over a coach wearing a pro-trans shirt.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of drool

Phrases Containing fuss

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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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of fuss for Spanish Speakers

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