1
as in to erode
to consume or wear away gradually
over the span of thousands of years, the annual spring runoff fretted the rock, forming a deep channel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
don't let the girth fret the horse's belly or you won't be able to ride him
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety
don't fret over whether it will be sunny tomorrow, as there's nothing we can do about it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
one of my customers always gets into a fret if I'm so much as 15 minutes late delivering his newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fret
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Levie has been a big proponent of AI creating more jobs, as workers and recent college graduates fret over the sluggish job market and often blame AI.
—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
11 June 2026
On the other side of the office, Islas, Alejo’s boss, is fretting about how to keep Alejo’s team employed.
—
Megan Greenwell,
Bloomberg,
9 June 2026
Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.
—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
Kate, for her part, frets that her grieving husband is lacking male companionship.
—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Levie has been a big proponent of AI creating more jobs, as workers and recent college graduates fret over the sluggish job market and often blame AI.
—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
11 June 2026
On the other side of the office, Islas, Alejo’s boss, is fretting about how to keep Alejo’s team employed.
—
Megan Greenwell,
Bloomberg,
9 June 2026
Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.
—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
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That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
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Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Verb
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The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
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The key to modernizing the pinkish-orange color in 2026 is to wear it in loose, easy silhouettes.
Verb
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But prosecutors said their further investigation raised significant doubts about those conclusions, worrying them that a jury would not find Hobby guilty of an arson charge.
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Some academic leaders worry that the report might drive students away from programs that encompass the core of human knowledge.
Verb
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Residents were advised that while smoke may be irritating—particularly for those sensitive to air quality—there is currently no order for evacuation or shelter-in-place, despite a similar order already having been issued and lifted twice since the fire's ignition.
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Ammonia is a common industrial chemical that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system when present in elevated concentrations.
Noun
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With the rise of tablets and tech worldwide, toys have begun to become obsolete, causing mass panic among toys.
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Brokers often list speculative tickets for those tours before an on-sale even starts, hoping some more desperate fans will buy in a panic.
Verb
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Kansas City Council member Melissa Patterson Hazley spent most of her day in the district attending openings for new businesses, visiting shows and eating at restaurants.
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After eating, some of the nuns are wheeled out into the sun, but there are not enough wheelchairs.
Verb
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The same fear of a fraying dollar system is driving Russia and others toward bitcoin and pushing Wall Street to treat which reserve asset wins as a live question.
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Trump’s posturing underscored how his alliance with Meloni — long seen as one of his closest friends in Europe — has frayed over his war in Iran, his tariffs against Europe and his complaints when anyone disagrees with him.
Verb
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And these only scratch the surface of his accomplishments.
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Even young raccoons can bite or scratch when frightened, and wild animals can carry parasites and diseases, says Rakestraw.
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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