as in sulkiness
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretfulness
Noun
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Sleep also plays a major role in emotional regulation and cognitive performance as insufficient sleep can impair attention, decision-making and reaction time while also increasing irritability and sensitivity to stress.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026 -
With withdrawal, adolescents can suffer greater anxiety and irritability.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One study found that ginger supplements can improve symptoms of functional dyspepsia, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic indigestion.6 3.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
2 July 2025
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These effects can help relieve symptoms such as distention, bloating, pain, and nausea, which are often associated with slow gastric emptying and a condition known as functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion).—
Lauren O'Connor, MS,
Health,
16 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Poor sleep leads to more than just crankiness A cranky kid after a bad night’s sleep is bad enough.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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And remember, most Californians are running on an hour less sleep today, so drive a little slower and blame your crankiness on the time change.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dani’s surliness has evaporated.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Dolphins knew in the spring that Jalen Ramsey’s tardiness and surliness did not fit the culture that the organization wanted to build.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Warren deserves kudos for bucking the trend of petulance exhibited by too many Democrats that night.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Florida has had enough of pettiness, politic stunts and petulance.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Vince Gilligan moved to Apple and returned to his X-Files roots for the sci-fi horror dramatic comedy Pluribus, which used its ultra-mysterious and yet ultra-familiar genre trappings for a droll meditation on the eternal clash between collective joy and individual grouchiness.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Nov. 2025
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Emily is also struggling with Annabelle, who has inherited her mom’s attitude and the grouchiness of any adolescent forced to grow up with an Evolution Media camera crew in her home.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Corbett said the testiness started in Florida and returned with the team to Charlotte.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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“Fretfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretfulness. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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