frazzled; frazzling
ˈfra-zə-liŋ 
ˈfraz-liŋ
1
2
a
: to put in a state of extreme physical or nervous fatigue
b
: upset
: to become frazzled
1
: the state of being frazzled
2
: a condition of fatigue or nervous exhaustion
worn to a frazzle
Synonyms
Examples of frazzle in a Sentence
Verb
He's a clever player who knows how to frazzle his opponents.
years of use have frazzled the cord for the window blinds to the breaking point
Noun
months of overtime work have left her worn to a frazzle
Recent Examples on the Web
Ruby Namdar, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2023
Italians are frazzled as a summer of incinerating heat waves lingers and fear mounts over the return of hailstones the size of handballs.
—Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
In the ballroom On the night before the big gathering, Michelle was frazzled and anxious.
—Ellen Barry Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Barrymore responded, frazzled, as the audience member quickly approached her.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
But don’t get frazzled or ditch those travel essentials just yet.
—Sean Santiago, ELLE Decor, 24 July 2023
Pet owners know all too well that fireworks can frazzle furry friends, but experts say there are ways to avoid nervous breakdowns.
—Vivi Smilgius, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2023
TikToker and hairstylist Lauren Dale swears she's discovered the secret to boosting glow, even in strands that look a little frazzled.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 14 June 2023
Don’t let a few pest woes frazzle you and draw your attention from the beauty and peace.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2023
Jason Daley, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2011
There are subtler ways to explore the chaotic frazzle of modern life than through the violent synthesis of superfruits in a blender.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2021
The tackles, the contact and the double teams had worn him to a frazzle.
—Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2021
The industrious and dedicated Studley looked worn to a frazzle by June.
—Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 June 2021
More than any other cast member this year, Kate McKinnon let the frazzle show.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
Hair frazzles and bandanas get abandoned to the floor.
—Jenna Scatena, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Dec. 2019
And most notably for his own legacy as a general manager, West worked himself into a frazzle in the summer of 1996 to lure free-agent Shaquille O'Neal to the Lakers, days of nonstop negotiation that landed West in the hospital.
—Jack McCallum, SI.com, 11 July 2018
Judging by the media's frazzle, the fearful response.
—Fox News, 17 Mar. 2018
See More
Verb
My frenzied Facebook feed is the portrait of a stunned and frazzled collective mind.
—Ruby Namdar, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2023
Italians are frazzled as a summer of incinerating heat waves lingers and fear mounts over the return of hailstones the size of handballs.
—Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
In the ballroom On the night before the big gathering, Michelle was frazzled and anxious.
—Ellen Barry Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Barrymore responded, frazzled, as the audience member quickly approached her.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
But don’t get frazzled or ditch those travel essentials just yet.
—Sean Santiago, ELLE Decor, 24 July 2023
Pet owners know all too well that fireworks can frazzle furry friends, but experts say there are ways to avoid nervous breakdowns.
—Vivi Smilgius, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2023
TikToker and hairstylist Lauren Dale swears she's discovered the secret to boosting glow, even in strands that look a little frazzled.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 14 June 2023
Don’t let a few pest woes frazzle you and draw your attention from the beauty and peace.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2023
Noun
The signature crack of a sonic boom can shake walls, rattle windows, and frazzle nerves.
—Jason Daley, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2011
There are subtler ways to explore the chaotic frazzle of modern life than through the violent synthesis of superfruits in a blender.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2021
The tackles, the contact and the double teams had worn him to a frazzle.
—Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2021
The industrious and dedicated Studley looked worn to a frazzle by June.
—Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 June 2021
More than any other cast member this year, Kate McKinnon let the frazzle show.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
Hair frazzles and bandanas get abandoned to the floor.
—Jenna Scatena, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Dec. 2019
And most notably for his own legacy as a general manager, West worked himself into a frazzle in the summer of 1996 to lure free-agent Shaquille O'Neal to the Lakers, days of nonstop negotiation that landed West in the hospital.
—Jack McCallum, SI.com, 11 July 2018
Judging by the media's frazzle, the fearful response.
—Fox News, 17 Mar. 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frazzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
alteration of English dialect fazle to tangle, fray
First Known Use
Verb
circa 1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing frazzle
Dictionary Entries Near frazzle
Cite this Entry
“Frazzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frazzle. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
frazzle
1 of 2 noun
fraz·zle
ˈfraz-əl
: a tired or nervous condition
worn to a frazzle
frazzle
2 of 2 verb1
: fray
2
: to cause to be in a tired or nervous condition
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