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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fretting
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
For anyone who has yet to join the Vulture Movies Fantasy League — or who is still fretting over which films to choose — this preview also offers some data points to help guide your selections.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Portraying the ghost of Hamlet’s father at the play’s debut, his face and body covered in chalky white paint, his Shakespeare steps through the looking glass and becomes his own tragic player, strutting and fretting his hour upon the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Adjective
Shalett’s critique came squarely in the middle of some people in the AI field — and many financial commentators around Wall Street —fretting at market exuberance and beginning to talk openly about a bubble.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
For anyone who has yet to join the Vulture Movies Fantasy League — or who is still fretting over which films to choose — this preview also offers some data points to help guide your selections.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Portraying the ghost of Hamlet’s father at the play’s debut, his face and body covered in chalky white paint, his Shakespeare steps through the looking glass and becomes his own tragic player, strutting and fretting his hour upon the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
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
-
Polls show Jones' support eroding, and experts like Farnsworth believe even a win in November won’t erase the damage.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In a new essay co-written with Harvard University professor Robert Waldinger — titled The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World — Kate, 43, reflected on how technology is eroding our ability to truly connect.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like the rest of the staff, Darwent is wearing a Newcastle tracksuit rather than a suit and tie.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And the combination of four-wheel drive and Michelin Cup 2 R tires delivers so much traction (on dry asphalt, at least) that the car seems to be wearing running spikes.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The economic and political struggles are worrying financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission, which has been pushing France to comply with EU rules limiting debt.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Canva/Cisco While everyone else is anxiously worrying about AI replacing jobs, Katsoudas—who leads the AI Workforce Consortium—thinks that AI could be the thing that gives workers the chance to have a longer career within a single organization.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Combining three different actives (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) in one product without totally irritating the skin seems like an impossible task, yet Some by Mi has accomplished it with this ease.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 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
-
How to stop deer from eating tulips Of course there are other animals out there that will actually eat your bulb.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Always soak chia seeds in liquid before eating, or combine with a moist food such as yogurt.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Al-Omari is uneasy about signs that Arab unity on disarmament is already fraying.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
But already the controls are fraying.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An old rag leaves behind streaks and lint, and a sponge can be abrasive, scratching the glass surface.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The procedure prevents the cat from being able to extend their claws, and is usually done to prevent them from scratching people, other animals, or furniture.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fretting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretting. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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