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fretful

adjective

fret·​ful ˈfret-fəl How to pronounce fretful (audio)
Synonyms of fretfulnext
: disposed to fret : irritable, restless
fretfully 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.
The quintessential late-’80s teen, Ryder here plays a fretful mom. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025 But that doesn’t mean viewers won’t be increasingly exasperated by the ways the screenplay forces Knightley’s character into a clumsy, fretful investigation. The New York Times, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Investors are fretful heading into the August payrolls report. Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 Despite the fretful retreat staged by most House Democrats, preliminary polling shows significant public support for Trump’s impeachment. Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fretful. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

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 adverb
fretfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fretful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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