fretful

adjective

fret·​ful ˈfret-fəl How to pronounce fretful (audio)
Synonyms of fretfulnext
: disposed to fret : irritable, restless
fretfully
ˈfret-fə-lē How to pronounce fretful (audio)
adverb
fretfulness noun

Examples of fretful in a Sentence

He fell into a fretful sleep.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Suddenly the Toronto crowd’s sound turned from festive to fretful. — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025 The quintessential late-’80s teen, Ryder here plays a fretful mom. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025 Investors are fretful heading into the August payrolls report. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 Julia Louis-Dreyfus provides the voice of Miss Maple, renamed Lily and far more fretful and fearful than in the book. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fretful

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fretful was in 1594

Rhymes for fretful

See All Rhymes for fretful

Browse Nearby Words

fretboard
fretful
fretfully
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fretful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fretful

adjective
fret·​ful ˈfret-fəl How to pronounce fretful (audio)
1
: inclined to worry
a fretful child
2
: not relaxing or restful
a fretful sleep
fretfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce fretful (audio)
adverb
fretfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fretful

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fretful

Nglish: Translation of fretful for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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