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.

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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

If a relative or housemate seems irritable, ask what’s going on instead of working around the mood.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

That feels very much in tune with the anxious characters Eisenberg has played over the course of his acting career, but this whole directing thing is working out nicely for him, too.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Nelson remembers hushing her foster children back to sleep that night and calling 911, anxious for an end to those sleepless nights.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of anxious

Adjective

One grandmother initially didn’t understand what the couple was asking, while two were a little nervous about taking on a role traditionally given to children.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
But one area that has Chiefs fans a little nervous is the offensive line that will be tasked with keeping Mahomes upright.

— Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of nervous

Adjective

Teams — worried about how a politically defiant Black quarterback on the roster would impact their bottom lines — over the next several seasons signed dozens of inferior quarterbacks to round out their depth charts.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Los Angeles’ identity and workers’ livelihoods are at stake, say worried residents who fear that Paramount will leave the state.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

White’s Jimmy Hurdstrom is a good-hearted yet rough-around-the-edges ranch hand who evolved from a troubled criminal into a resilient, proud cowboy.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
The second follows Hadley Baxter, a troubled actress who has signed on to star in a biopic of Graves after her journal from the grand flight is found.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of troubled

Adjective

For a restless brain, the quiet room doesn’t feel like leadership so much as isolation, so people slide back into admin work without really deciding to.

— Chris Kille, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Two males and one female, the cubs were restless during Tuesday’s vaccination.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026