fret

1 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 bite (at), corrode, erode, eat, gnaw, nibbleRelated Words break down, break up, decompose, disintegrate, dissolve; decimate, destroy, devastate, ruin, waste, wreckNear Antonyms freshen, recreate, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive

2 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 chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle, abrade, gall, rasp, rub, wearRelated Words file, gnaw, grate, graze, grind, nibble, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, scrape, scuff, shave; erase, reduce, rub out, wear out, wipe (away); bite, break down, break up, chew, corrode, decompose, disintegrate, dissolve, eat; hone, sharpen, whet

3 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 bother, fear, worry, fuss, stew, stress, sweat, troubleRelated Words agonize; long, pine, yearn; chafe; despairNear Antonyms accept; abide, bear, endure, stick out, stomach, sustain, take, tolerate

4 to make sore by continued rubbing the stiff, starchy collar was fretting my neck, and I couldn't wait to change out of that costume Synonyms abrade, excoriate, chafe, gall, irritateRelated Words graze, scrape, scratch; burn, inflame (also enflame); flay, peel, skin