fretted

Definition of frettednext
past tense of fret
1
as in eroded
to consume or wear away gradually over the span of thousands of years, the annual spring runoff fretted the rock, forming a deep channel

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2
3
as in worried
to experience concern or anxiety don't fret over whether it will be sunny tomorrow, as there's nothing we can do about it

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4
as in irritated
to make sore by continued rubbing the stiff, starchy collar was fretting my neck, and I couldn't wait to change out of that costume

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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 fretted Turner fretted publicly about the world’s problems. David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 And many, in a district in which more than 86% of students are low-income, fretted about feeding their kids. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 On a recent morning, Alexandre Joseph, 35, fretted about his family’s future in a loud voice, attracting the attention of passersby in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. Evens Sanon, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026 On a recent morning, Alexandre Joseph, 35, fretted about his family’s future in a loud voice, attracting the attention of passersby in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 In 1998, the small Jesuit school in Spokane was so deep in a fiscal crisis as enrollment dwindled, some administrators fretted if the school could stay open. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026 For the better part of the past year, Wall Street analysts and tech-industry observers have fretted publicly about an AI bubble. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 The Daily Dividend Micron fell for a fourth straight day yesterday as investors fretted about the memory maker’s ability to meet booming demand. Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026 Know More Investors in recent days have fretted about the Paramount bid’s footing. Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretted
Verb
  • As a result, economists have said these sanctions have eroded favorability toward the dollar from some of America’s adversaries.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • Giuliani’s time in office was marked by a crackdown on crime, but race relations eroded as Giuliani defended the police against accusations of bias and brutality.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Rihanna wore tiger-print Alaïa d’Orsay pumps twice in New York in January, first with denim-on-denim and then with a matching coat, while Angel Reese went bolder that month in blue leopard-print Jennifer Le thigh-high boots with fox-fur trim.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
  • The first piece visitors encounter upon entering Iris van Herpen’s new exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in New York is the designer’s 2016 bubble dress—a precursor to the 2026 iteration, which also emitted blown bubbles, that went viral when Eileen Gu wore it to the Met Gala last week.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Early this year many Fed policymakers were worried the job market was stalling and leaned toward rate cuts.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2026
  • But as more headlines emerge about the potentially deadly infection, many are reminded of the COVID pandemic − and worried about the United State's preparedness.
    Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Some highbrow writers had a right to be irritated by the concept of chick lit, though that wasn’t the fault of chick lit authors themselves.
    Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 4 May 2026
  • His last-minute, mixmaster approach to closing out the transit negotiations irritated several participants, but the end result was a fiscally responsible and transformative restructuring of mass transit in northern Illinois.
    David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On one day in late December, Eden barely ate all day.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • While neither is an effective big league pitcher at this point, those moves ate into the Yankees’ limited rotation depth.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The writer is expected to bond with a new steward who had no part in the original creative conversation, who may have entirely different instincts about the material, and who inherits a relationship already frayed by the impersonal mechanics of a deal that took forever to close.
    George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
  • Daniel still has these tracings today, rolled tightly and frayed at the edges.
    Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical attention immediately.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 May 2026
  • Great White became the fifth horse scratched this week and the second Saturday.
    Stephen Whyno, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The girl buried her head into Blair, who rubbed circles on her back.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
  • The savory chili-garlic oil rubbed on the baby eggplants make these an irresistible snack that are perfect light bites for all to enjoy.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Fretted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretted. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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