1
as in eroding
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wearing
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 worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
don't fret over whether it will be sunny tomorrow, as there's nothing we can do about it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in irritating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in fretful
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 fretting
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
Consolidation has been another trend, with some fretting over Amazon merging Wondery into Audible and cutting staff.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
Some YouTube users are already fretting about getting incorrectly flagged by the technology, and privacy experts have raised concerns about adults handing over sensitive personal information to verify their age.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Down the road elsewhere in Newark, Mitch Gambert, CEO and owner of Gambert Shirtmakers, is fretting over the future of his business due to the upheaval caused by the administration’s ever-evolving trade policy.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
Consolidation has been another trend, with some fretting over Amazon merging Wondery into Audible and cutting staff.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
Some YouTube users are already fretting about getting incorrectly flagged by the technology, and privacy experts have raised concerns about adults handing over sensitive personal information to verify their age.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretting
Verb
-
The Scatturice Network Expands While the economy provides the backdrop, multiple corruption cases continue eroding the Milei administration's credibility.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
As Robert Putnam documented in Bowling Alone, the churches, neighborhood associations, and bowling leagues that once anchored American communities have steadily lost members and influence, eroding civic life and our trust in one another.—
Todd Rogers,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The friends were both wearing some form of American flag on their outfits and were visiting from Syracuse, New York.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The style is perfect for wearing into the cooler months, as it can easily be layered over cozy knits.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Patients often wait until the doctor is standing up to leave before blurting out their real concern, which is typically a sensitive or time-consuming problem, such as wanting to start birth control, having painful periods, or worrying about pregnancy or STDs.—
Dr. Jill Grimes,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Losing or leaving a job is already stressful enough without worrying about when your last paycheck will show up.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, Agnes is dressed exactly like Wednesday and her Single White Female act is irritating the hell out of her hero.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Pesky skeeters are irritating Lake County residents as the number of insects carrying the worrisome West Nile Virus climbs.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Investors are fretful heading into the August payrolls report.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Despite the fretful retreat staged by most House Democrats, preliminary polling shows significant public support for Trump’s impeachment.—
Chris Lehmann,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In late March, a 3-year-old Leavenworth boy known as EJ fell asleep for the night on a neighbor’s couch after eating grapes.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
To support your prostate health, focus on eating healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Sports fandom has a special power to connect people, especially at a time when so many of our traditional civic bonds are fraying.—
Todd Rogers,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
-
About eight or nine hours into a punishing shoot, nerves were fraying, and Mike McGuirk was getting chewed out by a camera operator.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
As a player just scratching the surface of his potential with so much still ahead of him, the coming months are critical to his hopes of landing an invite to Italy.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fretting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretting. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share