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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fret
Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025
The announcement, though abrupt, was not altogether surprising: City leaders have fretted the loss of Blue Diamond since the 1990s, and the cooperative has been steadily cutting costs in recent years.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
But now, leaders of many of the most prominent companies in the U.S. and around the world are fretting that a trade war could stunt that growth.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Gold surged higher this year as investors fretted over the uncertain outlook for tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
Aboard the Crystal Symphony not so long ago, our butler was fretting about matzo balls.
—Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025
The announcement, though abrupt, was not altogether surprising: City leaders have fretted the loss of Blue Diamond since the 1990s, and the cooperative has been steadily cutting costs in recent years.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
But now, leaders of many of the most prominent companies in the U.S. and around the world are fretting that a trade war could stunt that growth.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Gold surged higher this year as investors fretted over the uncertain outlook for tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
Chatterjee notes that this is a brand with strong retention but declining acquisition potential due to eroding external perception.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Many of his directives this term have closely mirrored Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda that explicitly prioritizes eroding LGBTQ rights.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Also exempt are personal items, like pins or shirts worn by students and electronic displays within the school.—
Emma Epperly,
Idaho Statesman,
28 June 2025
-
The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress for the occasion.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Conservationists worry the project could damage the Everglades.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 June 2025
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After studies had linked chronic exposure to high levels of mercury found in fish and whale blubber to developmental delays, scientists began to worry about the element’s effects on the young brain.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Spicy foods: Spicy foods may irritate the stomach and intestines, which could worsen or extend food poisoning symptoms.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
21 June 2025
-
This will irritate them and also decrease their likelihood of returning.—
Bartosz Skwarczek,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Yet rather than panic, creators have been quick to adapt.—
Vivian Toh,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Yet the faces and the fashions, not to mention the paranoia and the panic, feel very Seventies.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
This spot for soccer fans offers lots of pub fare to eat and drink.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2025
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The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The series focuses on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s love story, which started as a beautiful union for the young couple, widely regarded as American royalty, began to fray under the stress of the relentless microscope and navel-gaze of tabloid media.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
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Without recognition, your self-narrative begins to fray.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Avoid using abrasive cleaners, like scouring pads or steel wool, as these can scratch the surface.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
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This can include scratching granular fertilizer into the soil around the base of your plants, watering with compost tea or fish emulsion, or top dressing with a fresh layer of compost—just be sure to pay attention to the specific needs of the different plants in your garden.—
Mike Irvine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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