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
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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
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Recent Examples of fret
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Shalett’s critique came squarely in the middle of some people in the AI field — and many financial commentators around Wall Street —fretting at market exuberance and beginning to talk openly about a bubble.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
If these picks aren’t your style, don’t fret.
—Julia Fields, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
So, don’t fret if your grandchildren don’t want your earthly treasures.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
And for those who suspect the whole thing is a bubble, well, the latest entanglement is another thing to fret about.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Shalett’s critique came squarely in the middle of some people in the AI field — and many financial commentators around Wall Street —fretting at market exuberance and beginning to talk openly about a bubble.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
If these picks aren’t your style, don’t fret.
—Julia Fields, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
So, don’t fret if your grandchildren don’t want your earthly treasures.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
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Attendees were given 3 minutes to speak, same as in the commissioners court, and primarily spoke about jail deaths and the freedom of speech being eroded.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
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Even as streaming has eroded the ranks of linear viewers in primetime, sports has built new bulwarks.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tempo could help wear them out, as the Giants have pressured the quarterback on nearly 46% of their defensive snaps when Carter, Burns and Thibodeaux are on the field at the same time, according to Next Gen Stats.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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In her bestie Selena Gomez’s wedding photos, the Rare Beauty founder appeared to wear a number of white dresses for her nuptials to Benny Blanco in September.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grieving Vince, worrying about Bode, and taking care of her Cal Fire family is a lot to balance.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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Amawi worried about the risk of refeeding syndrome.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Combining three different actives (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) in one product without totally irritating the skin seems like an impossible task, yet Some by Mi has accomplished it with this ease.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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The panic began when a pilot reportedly heard knocking on the cockpit door and was unable to contact his crew.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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None of the panic, none of the prophetism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some examples might include taking a 15- to 20-minute morning walk, eating a healthy breakfast and writing down one positive thing that happened that day.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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This syndrome causes nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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Over time, the relationship frayed.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Automatic car wash brushes can collect dirt and small rocks that scratch your car.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
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During the footage, Yuki can be seen lifting her paws to her head as if to scratch her ears, only to suddenly realize there is no longer anything there.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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