FRETTED Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

fretted

verb

past tense of fret

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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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

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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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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 Calls for a slowdown in artificial intelligence development sparked a global sell-off in technology stocks on Monday, as investors fretted over the sustainability of spending in a sector that has driven financial markets to record highs. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026 Traders have lately fretted about the effect of rising oil prices on inflation. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 None of its marks seem to maintain their integrity for more than an inch or two without being fretted or spoiled. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Benchmark oil prices also topped $90 a barrel as investors fretted that efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz were making little headway. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile in England, Queen Victoria fretted about receiving a gemstone obtained in such an unsavory way, and worried about the condition of Duleep. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026 Other European politicians fretted about national infrastructure and defense, with one comparing the loss of Mythos to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 Daniel de Visé Stocks opened lower on July 29, ahead of Federal Reserve action on interest rates, as traders fretted about rising oil prices. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 July 2026 That’s a relief to Hollywood, which fretted that the pandemic had hampered Gen Z from developing a taste for going to the movies. — Kelenna Onukwugha, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretted

Verb

The area’s sediments typically eroded before the tracks could be preserved.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Meantime, semiconductor stocks and most of the mega-cap tech platforms were convalescing as AI-overspending fears eroded investor conviction and compressed valuations.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of eroded

Verb

That September, Swift wore an oversized vintage Chiefs T-shirt as a minidress with thigh-high Giuseppe Zanotti boots and a Louis Vuitton bag.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
And who was the woman behind the plunging 1999 Versace number Lopez wore to the Grammys, celebrated as the dress that launched Google Image Search?

— Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of wore

Verb

The divergence has traders worried that, if the few stocks driving the gains start to falter, the broader market will be in trouble.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
Rose spoke to former air traffic controller Dave Riley, who wasn't worried that the AI tool would lead to problems because humans would still oversee safety.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

The episode confused and irritated the Red Sox, and following Saturday’s win starting pitcher Sonny Gray acknowledged that Alexander’s antics had provided the club with extra motivation.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
The comments irritated Ilicali, who took to social media in response.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritated

Verb

For two years, tension over the case has frayed allegiances in Dearborn.

— Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
The relationship between the fans and the club’s hierarchy, including ownership at The Friedkin Group, has also been frayed due to the way the window ended.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of frayed

Verb

In one of these journals, called Notebook B, there is an incidental sketch, a few scratched lines like the barren twigs of a winter tree.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Officials said another woman fought back during an attack and scratched Davis, leaving DNA beneath her fingernails.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of scratched

Verb

Hollidge and Eshaghpour were captivated by Frank’s use of straw, which becomes more or less lustrous depending on how hard it’s rubbed (bringing out the material’s natural silica) and can be dyed to achieve different hues.

— Jill Singer, Curbed, 23 Sep. 2026
The tacos feature za’atar rubbed swordfish kissed by a wood-burning grill, dabbed with tangy pools of labne and a salsa arabe, similar to harissa.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026