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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fret
ABC News, 3 June 2026
Next time, don't fret too much—instead, use a paper towel as an emergency filter in a pinch.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
Bombshells Kenzie is fretting about not being Zach’s type and yet not taking the hint all the way until bombshell time the following night.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Don’t fret about the champagne-glass neck.
—Sandra Cisneros, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
But neither franchise domination, AI nor streaming make Spielberg fret for the future of movies.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Next time, don't fret too much—instead, use a paper towel as an emergency filter in a pinch.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
Bombshells Kenzie is fretting about not being Zach’s type and yet not taking the hint all the way until bombshell time the following night.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Don’t fret about the champagne-glass neck.
—Sandra Cisneros, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
The oil supply shock caused by the Iran war has eroded global demand for crude — but a lasting resolution to the conflict could drive a surge in supply volumes and trigger a major oil overhang next year, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
-
As retailers race to modernize their stores, a new report from Coresight Research reveals a rapidly shifting business landscape beneath their feet, where inefficiencies are eroding profits.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
When a group of six fans wearing white t-shirts with the pre-revolution flag emblazoned on the fronts tried to enter, they were stopped by a security staffer, who called over her supervisor.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Looking to be quite aggressive in a football sense and always looking for the solution and what can happen instead of worrying about what the problem is.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Many have worried that the trend toward more historic, modern, and established art is leaving contemporary artists in the dust, but by the sounds of it yesterday, dealers confirmed strong interest in the latter category, with broader sales made across their program.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Residents were advised that while smoke may be irritating—particularly for those sensitive to air quality—there is currently no order for evacuation or shelter-in-place, despite a similar order already having been issued and lifted twice since the fire's ignition.—
Iris Salem,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Ammonia is a common industrial chemical that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system when present in elevated concentrations.—
Sydney Barragan,
Daily News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
With the rise of tablets and tech worldwide, toys have begun to become obsolete, causing mass panic among toys.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Brokers often list speculative tickets for those tours before an on-sale even starts, hoping some more desperate fans will buy in a panic.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Kansas City Council member Melissa Patterson Hazley spent most of her day in the district attending openings for new businesses, visiting shows and eating at restaurants.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
-
After eating, some of the nuns are wheeled out into the sun, but there are not enough wheelchairs.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
There has long been a bipartisan consensus around supporting Israel in Washington, but that has frayed in recent years.—
Kelvin Chan,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
-
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
And these only scratch the surface of his accomplishments.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
-
Even young raccoons can bite or scratch when frightened, and wild animals can carry parasites and diseases, says Rakestraw.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
