FRETTING Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

fretting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fretting next

as in fretful

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fretting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fret

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

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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

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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

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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

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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 fretting

Verb

Traders are all-in on AI, but Americans are fretting over its impact on jobs. —

J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 24 May 2026 After games, many Thunder players reside by their lockers cracking jokes and catching up instead of fretting over roles and playing time. —

Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The tension drew the attention of Abbott’s office, which was supportive of Tips at periods but also fretting that the regulations were not coming together and state lawmakers were growing impatient, Bingaman said. —

Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026 Meta employees have spent much of the year fretting about job cuts, which already hit the Reality Labs division and other teams. —

Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 The accusations reordered a wide-open gubernatorial race that had Democrats fretting the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. —

Michael R. Blood, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026 Increasingly, teachers and schools fretting over students using artificial intelligence to complete their assignments are turning to AI detectors to catch would-be cheaters. —

Nathan Agranovsky, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2026 Distracted ends with Bruner fretting over money and pondering options. —

Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026 Perhaps one, or all, of her kids, fretting over their independent-minded mother, had advised her to get it. —

Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretting

Adjective

Julia Louis-Dreyfus provides the voice of Miss Maple, renamed Lily and far more fretful and fearful than in the book.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The outrageous antics revolving around the experiences of fretful teen prodigy Malcolm were always anchored by his family’s tight bond.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026