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
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Distracted ends with Bruner fretting over money and pondering options.
—Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Perhaps one, or all, of her kids, fretting over their independent-minded mother, had advised her to get it.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
This is too early to spend much time fretting over Bichette.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
In 1998, the small Jesuit school in Spokane was so deep in a fiscal crisis as enrollment dwindled, some administrators fretted if the school could stay open.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Distracted ends with Bruner fretting over money and pondering options.
—Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Perhaps one, or all, of her kids, fretting over their independent-minded mother, had advised her to get it.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
This is too early to spend much time fretting over Bichette.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
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Candidates also get favorable rates for television ads so their money goes further than independent expenditures by outside groups, though that advantage is eroding as ad spending increasingly shifts toward digital streaming.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Los Angeles County deputies arrested a man last week after he was spotted on a Rancho Palos Verdes hiking trail armed with multiple guns and wearing body armor.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The picture appeared to have been taken during one of Justin's rehearsal days, as Hailey wore the same black crop top and gray sweats in a video of her dancing while Justin took the stage.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another employee spoke with The New Yorker for the 2016 story while wearing a disguise, worried about retribution.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Hikers, who already worry about bikes flying down narrow trails, now worry about e-bikes flying up from behind.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
15 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
-
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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An elite soldier with a fraying mind is sent deep into a wartime nightmare, and the sweaty performances, bold musical choices, and beautiful cinematography take us there.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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If your current set is thin, faded or fraying, spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to replace them.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 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 19 Apr. 2026.
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