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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wore
to damage or diminish by continued friction
don't let the girth fret the horse's belly or you won't be able to ride him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fretted
Software stocks have plunged recently as investors have fretted that new artificial intelligence, large-language models could disrupt existing technologies.
—
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Nationally, moderate factions of the party have fretted over the calls — like those echoing from the Colorado Capitol’s stairs — to abolish ICE outright.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
The outperformance is relatively new for investors who once fretted that Alphabet had been surpassed in technological prowess by startups like OpenAI, which would erode Google’s huge market share in internet search.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the bill’s passage, county leaders openly fretted about the possible damage that might come from giving such free rein to the constables.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2026
Stock-watchers cheered a market boom, and fretted about a bubble.
—Mark Niquette, Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
Stock-watchers cheered a market boom, and fretted about a bubble.
—Mark Niquette, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
Rather than sparking a larger war, as some analysts fretted, Soleimani’s assassination permanently set back Iran’s proxies.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Generations of workers have fretted about the future of Social Security, the retirement trust fund.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Nationally, moderate factions of the party have fretted over the calls — like those echoing from the Colorado Capitol’s stairs — to abolish ICE outright.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
The outperformance is relatively new for investors who once fretted that Alphabet had been surpassed in technological prowess by startups like OpenAI, which would erode Google’s huge market share in internet search.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Ahead of the bill’s passage, county leaders openly fretted about the possible damage that might come from giving such free rein to the constables.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2026
Stock-watchers cheered a market boom, and fretted about a bubble.
—Mark Niquette, Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
Stock-watchers cheered a market boom, and fretted about a bubble.
—Mark Niquette, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
Rather than sparking a larger war, as some analysts fretted, Soleimani’s assassination permanently set back Iran’s proxies.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Generations of workers have fretted about the future of Social Security, the retirement trust fund.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretted
Verb
-
The new caretaker premier will be supported by a cabinet of experts in his main tasks of ensuring fair and transparent elections and restoring public trust in institutions, which has been eroded by political uncertainty.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The use of face coverings by federal agents has intensified intimidation and eroded trust by shielding agents from identification and accountability.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many of the pieces Zellweger wore in the film were thrifted from charity and consignment stores, such as Mary’s Living and Giving in Hampstead, the north London neighborhood where her character lives.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The Valentino spokesmodel wore her brunette tresses with her signature full fringe, while her makeup consisted of coral blush and a terracotta lip liner.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That student is in the district’s medical assisting program, and has been emailing teachers worried about making up work and getting finals done.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some who follow the Make America Healthy Again movement praised his decision, but former health officials and some medical experts worried the firings would sow distrust in the public health system and in vaccines that have been found to be safe and effective.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For a long time your political cartoons published in the editorial pages have irritated me.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 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 documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The rapper said he is committed and dedicated to repairing relationships frayed by his alleged manic episodes.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The damage will lead to ineffective cleaning due to stiff fibers, an inability to attract dust and dirt, and scratched surfaces.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
At last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Winnipeg Jets sniper Kyle Connor started on the first line, was quickly downgraded to the fourth line and ultimately ended up scratched in the final against Canada.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their ice maker expelled large clumps of wet salt, which, when rubbed, dissolved into an oily, foul-smelling substance.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The comments rubbed some Democrats the wrong way.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fretted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretted. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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