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
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 fret
Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Sounds really scary, but do not fret.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
But while that could eat into Ocrevus’ sales, investors in Biogen shouldn’t fret, according to Piper Sandler.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Increasingly, teachers and schools fretting over students using artificial intelligence to complete their assignments are turning to AI detectors to catch would-be cheaters.
—Nathan Agranovsky, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
But La Tiara told users not to fret.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Sounds really scary, but do not fret.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
But while that could eat into Ocrevus’ sales, investors in Biogen shouldn’t fret, according to Piper Sandler.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Increasingly, teachers and schools fretting over students using artificial intelligence to complete their assignments are turning to AI detectors to catch would-be cheaters.
—Nathan Agranovsky, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
An affective reliance on chatbots will only further erode our communal bonds.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Several speakers pointed to a growing body of research showing that minor stops disproportionately affect Black and brown motorists and do little to combat violent crime while eroding public trust.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The actor wore a white cutout dress that revealed a light blue undergarment with a pale pink floral print, paired with white shoes and a blue bow.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
Supermodels Gigi Hadid and Irina Shayk both wore revealing looks on the carpet.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
One perhaps shouldn’t worry too much about AI being prompted to resurrect a talk-show host, what with the whole format dying anyway.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
-
Equally important, a chatbot does not worry about your wellbeing the way a doctor might—which is important, since the best healers combine technical skills with moral judgment and empathy.—
Sudheesha Perera,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
My mother-in-law uses the Boacay Soft and Warm Travel Blanket because the ultra-soft, micro-plush fabric keeps her warm in chilly airplane cabins without irritating her skin.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
Hydrogen sulfide, a gas commonly associated with sewage, can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and in higher concentrations may cause more serious health effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
During their first night together, just for an instant, Nikki appears to glitch, jerking back mid-kiss and looking at him with blind panic instead of undying affection.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
In other playoff action yesterday, the Thunder are verging on a back-to-back sweep of their own as the Lakers hit panic mode.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The question of what to eat before dessert is not, usually, top of my mind.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
The larva will hatch and eat the paralyzed cicada.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The writer is expected to bond with a new steward who had no part in the original creative conversation, who may have entirely different instincts about the material, and who inherits a relationship already frayed by the impersonal mechanics of a deal that took forever to close.—
George Heller,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
-
Daniel still has these tracings today, rolled tightly and frayed at the edges.—
Emilie Hardman,
JSTOR Daily,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Blue Jays right fielder Addison Barger was scratched from the lineup because of a sore right shoulder.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
More than two months into the Iran war, many analysts are still scratching their heads that wartime leaders in Washington did not plan for an Iranian shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
