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
Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Never fret over a breakout again with these highly effective pimple patches.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
For the better part of the past year, Wall Street analysts and tech-industry observers have fretted publicly about an AI bubble.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The Daily Dividend Micron fell for a fourth straight day yesterday as investors fretted about the memory maker’s ability to meet booming demand.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
This is too early to spend much time fretting over Bichette.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Never fret over a breakout again with these highly effective pimple patches.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
For the better part of the past year, Wall Street analysts and tech-industry observers have fretted publicly about an AI bubble.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The Daily Dividend Micron fell for a fourth straight day yesterday as investors fretted about the memory maker’s ability to meet booming demand.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
If there was ever a notion that profanity isn’t befitting of the nation’s highest office, that standard has largely eroded.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Underlying the Persian Gulf itself is a basin filled with debris eroded from the rising of the Zagros Mountains.—
Scott L. Montgomery,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The temperature at first pitch was 37 degrees and continued to drop, with players wearing full sleeves and many wearing head coverings.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Players schlep downstairs, wearing slippers or sandals, and walk through the game plan and what to expect from their opponents.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Murray worries about upholding his best friend’s wishes.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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Horner also talked about being concerned about losing his job, wanting to see his child and worrying about what was going to happen to him, Espinoza said.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Strong cleaning products may irritate sensitive airways and skin.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Oklahoma City is irritating, but never stops winning.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But in the absence of such attuned and invested adults, these panic responses can be sustained and lead to long-term changes in the way the child’s genes interact, the way the child’s brain develops and functions, and the way the child understands and interacts with others.—
Dr. Andrew Garner,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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And on top of all of that, nothing ensues panic quite like losing your cell phone in a foreign country (or anywhere for that matter).—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My family spent many weekend mornings here, but during the pandemic, my husband and I would occasionally get fancy takeout food and cocktails and eat at one of the private picnic tables by the light of a camping lantern.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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Hennessy said that eating too much of any nutrient risks causing unwanted side effects.—
Rich Bellis,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Already, the two-week ceasefire appears at risk of fraying over significant disagreements between the parties, which each are claiming victory in the war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The veil between character and self has frayed — bad behavior, even onstage, carries a frisson of shameful unease.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Rays also had a bullpen day Tuesday when Drew Rasmussen was scratched for the earlier-than-expected birth of his daughter.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Taveras was in the starting lineup after Tyler O’Neill was scratched with an illness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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