FRETTING Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

fretting 1 of 2

adjective

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

And just a few years ago folks were fretting over the demise of democracy and the future of the republic. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 The oil, gas and coal industries had spent years casting doubt on climate change while quietly fretting that policies to address it would one day put them out of business. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026 As a result, Healey’s budget is expected to be relatively low-key, especially at a time when bond markets are fretting over debt levels around the world. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 As critics have noted, though both Soares and Yudkowsky have spent much time fretting about an AI apocalypse, there’s no consensus that such a future is even possible — let alone probable. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 28 Oct. 2026 Ratings agencies and investors are fretting about leverage as the combined company enters a shifting media landscape with $80 billion in debt after one of the biggest leveraged buyouts in corporate history. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Billy Joel doesn’t want anyone fretting too much over his health. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 Szabo’s photos, by contrast, are remarkably free of fretting or judgment. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026 Room for Disagreement Left-wing Democrats are still fretting that party leaders won’t give voters concrete, populist policies. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretting

Adjective

The game, like most finals, was a fretful affair, played under a brain-altering gaze.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
The fretful electronic score is by Flying Lotus, Elliot Leung and Olivia Xiaolin.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Definition of fretful

Verb

With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Humboldt County officials have long debated what to do about Centerville Road, a narrow, twisting byway that leads to an eroding rural beach and a handful of homes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of eroding

Verb

In the photo, Ever is wearing black mascara that highlights her blue-green eyes, the spitting image of her mother’s, and glossy pink lipstick.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 Nov. 2026
Our short list shapes up with a 200-hp power cruiser wearing a Lotus badge, a five-cylinder Puch moped, and an eight-cylinder, 1,000cc two-stroke motorcycle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of wearing

Verb

Ever since, plastics have become another red alert to add to our list of threats that are largely out of our control yet impossible to stop worrying about.

— Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Along with gas prices, healthcare is the biggest household expense worrying voters, polls show.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of worrying

Verb

Working out became gymmaxxing; eating too many beans became fibermaxxing; neglecting to look at your phone for eight whole hours became sleepmaxxing.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
Calderwood says her husband became ill after eating at a cruise ship restaurant and spent two days in bed instead of enjoying the trip.

— Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of eating

Verb

The murder of two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank is the jumping-off point for a large-scale invasion of the Palestinian territory, a move that would further test the nation’s fraying relationship with the United States.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026
During the Lin regime, one source told us that relationships with filmmakers were fraying.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026