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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
Rocky newbies attending the show’s first return to Broadway since the 2000 Circle-in-the-Square revival, might wonder what the fuss was all about. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026 Chef Nicola Zamperetti has a background in fine dining, but here at La Gamella, his menus are based on earthy Tuscan traditions prepared without superfluous fuss allowing the fresh, seasonal ingredients to take centre stage. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 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
  • Kelly said a decision to release surveillance footage despite investigators’ objections became a lasting distraction.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Coleman decided to blend Italian cooking with barbecue cooking by introducing BBQ spaghetti—in spite of her mother’s objections.
    Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 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
  • With all of the commotion made about his on-base streak being snapped, his performance on the mound was almost an afterthought.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • From its location away from the courtroom, the jury heard a commotion.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 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
  • Elsewhere, Super Mario Galaxy is hardly complaining about coming in second ruling the roost for weeks, since it’s now focused on becoming the first film of the year to join the billion-dollar club after finishing Sunday with a global total of $871 million.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Commenters who never have been — and never will go — complain about the cost, the influencers, the hype.
    Andrea Domanick, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ratings rose, and critics raved.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Droves of Amazon shoppers rave about this now-$30 tote that’s made from durable faux leather, with many using it as their trusty work bag.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The story that’s being quibbled about concerns a teen suicide.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Chase Reid, meanwhile, just put together a better-than-point-per-game season in the OHL and has the loud tools — the escapability and skating speed in particular — that have NHL scouts positively drooling.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Predators respond with head shaking, gaping, drooling, and frantic licking.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Fuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuss. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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