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
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Recent Examples of fret
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Don't fret, for this month will also bring back.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Don't fret, though, because dinner can still be saved if this slipped your mind.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For anyone who has yet to join the Vulture Movies Fantasy League — or who is still fretting over which films to choose — this preview also offers some data points to help guide your selections.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
So, don’t fret if your grandchildren don’t want your earthly treasures.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Don't fret, for this month will also bring back.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Don't fret, though, because dinner can still be saved if this slipped your mind.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For anyone who has yet to join the Vulture Movies Fantasy League — or who is still fretting over which films to choose — this preview also offers some data points to help guide your selections.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
And trust—the most precious resource in any health crisis—will continue to erode.—
Dr. Nikki Romanik,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
For Allen, this legal tool disproportionately undermines Black communities, eroding generational wealth and disconnecting families from their neighborhoods.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The evidence that Song was the shooter comes from a green mask the assailant wore from which samples that tested positive for Song’s DNA were taken and from interviews with cooperating sources, FBI Special Agent Clark Wiethorn testified at the hearing.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In a recent campaign ad, Van Epps wears an Army uniform throughout the entire ad with patches and insignia removed.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As if the local deer population had enough to worry about as the bow hunting season begins, now a disease is spreading between them.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
-
From junior staffers worried about automation to managers fearing irrelevance, no one feels entirely safe.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The decision by Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, to go on a media tour in recent weeks while negotiating publicly in hopes of landing a better offer for Kuminga, irritated some with the organization, according to league sources.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The result, ideally, is the quarterback can trust wherever the ball is going, rather than panic if the first option is covered.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The scene is nonetheless a nod to the nuance that lies beyond the urgent, all-consuming panic of the unfolding crisis, and a queasy echo of the many such encounters that don’t end so amicably.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Premier League is eating itself slightly as a breeding ground for English talent.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
In the Carmel area, the trail passes a cool play space and Midtown Plaza, where the family can play a little ping-pong or corn hole, grab a bite to eat, or just relax on the bench swings.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The roots frayed with nowhere to go.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The stitching has begun to fray, the card slots have been stretched out over time, and the once-clear shield of the ID slot is, well… not so clear anymore.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The potatoes will have delicate skin that can be easily bruised or scratched, so handle them with care.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But the Jaguars scratched and clawed their way back into the game thanks to a Devin Lloyd 99-yard interception return for a touchdown and Trevor Lawrence stumbling into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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