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

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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

Perelman said people who have weakened immune systems and those with irritable bowel disease may want to talk to their doctors before incorporating the foods into their diet.

— Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.

— Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

Max is accompanied on his adventures by anxious robot C-3PO AB Sitter, and FX, a magical alien masquerading as a toy who can turn the kid's implausibly impressive sand sculptures into fully functioning robots.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
America’s centennial in 1876 was celebrated with a grand exhibition that projected an image of national unity and inventiveness in the anxious aftermath of civil war and recession.

— The New York Review of Books, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Definition of anxious

Adjective

But the real anger belongs to the narrator herself, who berates herself for bringing a succession of troubled men into her son’s life.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2026
There’s also room to more deeply explore Queen Gertrude (Jodi Gage)’s role in the palace intrigue and her troubled relationship with her son.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of troubled

Adjective

Christian is worried about Aaron’s gray jersey sportswear look because the fit will need to be perfect, and then, uh-oh, Aaron sews the bodysuit incorrectly and needs to start again.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
The Polymarket spokesperson added that the company is worried about potential duplicative or conflicting compliance requirements that could harm innovation.

— Ananya Chetia,Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Some nervous observers are going so far as to swear off salads and other raw fruits and vegetables until the outbreak has run its course.

— Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
But Griffin’s recent donation to Moody is not the only indication Republicans could be more nervous about Florida than the Senate races in other bright-red states.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of nervous

Adjective

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are both apprehensive about using artificial intelligence to make music.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
Some like demoticusername were worried and even apprehensive to come to KC in the wake of shootings and England’s team equipment being stolen, but said that everything went fine.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026