FRETFUL Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

fretful

adjective

Definition of fretful

as in irritable

tending towards or characterized by agitation or irritability They finally lulled the fretful baby to sleep. I kept having fretful thoughts about what would happen if we couldn't pay our bills.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 fretful The quintessential late-’80s teen, Ryder here plays a fretful mom. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025 But that doesn’t mean viewers won’t be increasingly exasperated by the ways the screenplay forces Knightley’s character into a clumsy, fretful investigation. — The New York Times, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Investors are fretful heading into the August payrolls report. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 Suddenly the Toronto crowd’s sound turned from festive to fretful. — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fretful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretful

Adjective

How skipping breakfast affects kids at school Nemours KidsHealth reports that kids who miss the morning meal often feel tired, restless or irritable by midmorning.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
Skipping meals can negatively affect blood sugar levels and leave you feeling hungry, irritable, and unable to pay attention.

— Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

Being anxious or nervous about this big step in your career is very normal.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Super teams share prompts openly, coached by leaders who use the tools themselves, which leaves them markedly less anxious about AI displacing their jobs.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of anxious

Adjective

Nvidia's forecast comes at a time when investors remain nervous about capital expenditures from large tech companies, the circular nature of financing deals and the return from AI investments.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Why bats can pose a rabies risk Rabies spreads through the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected mammal, usually through a bite.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of nervous

Adjective

It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The Middle East has long worried about its dependence on the United States and has thus been diversifying its partnerships since the Arab Spring, in 2011.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Unmasking ‘Criminal’ The FBI became aware of Spitze’s online crimes through his troubled home life and desire for fame, according to a DOJ sentencing memo to the court.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Hayden Panettiere's troubled relationship with on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson had one final, unexpected chapter that is still unfolding.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of troubled

Adjective

Sabrina Carpenter’s salacious blend of heartland rock, country, and pop seems versed in Parton’s musically restless Hollywood heyday.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
How skipping breakfast affects kids at school Nemours KidsHealth reports that kids who miss the morning meal often feel tired, restless or irritable by midmorning.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026