as in fretful
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fretting
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
But some drivers, passengers and ride-hailing companies are already fretting the prospect of pricier rides.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Older white-collar workers are fretting about their long-term job security in the face of ever-capable generative AI tools and recent layoffs from corporations such as Amazon and Block that have cited AI.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
But Knight’s script spends a lot of time self-consciously, apologetically fretting about those who are missing.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Rather than fretting over trends, make intentional alterations to the floor plan that feel special rather than builder-grade, McSwain says.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
These new tools, from the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI, have left investors fretting over whether AI will permanently disrupt their business models.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
China will be fretting over freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who fell short of gold at the Beijing Games four years ago.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Many pro-Trump TV shows, podcasters and commentators are defaulting to a defense of law enforcement — but fretting about how the wider public is reacting to the violent imagery from Minnesota.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
In Illinois, there is no fretting over electability.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
But some drivers, passengers and ride-hailing companies are already fretting the prospect of pricier rides.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Older white-collar workers are fretting about their long-term job security in the face of ever-capable generative AI tools and recent layoffs from corporations such as Amazon and Block that have cited AI.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
But Knight’s script spends a lot of time self-consciously, apologetically fretting about those who are missing.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Rather than fretting over trends, make intentional alterations to the floor plan that feel special rather than builder-grade, McSwain says.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
These new tools, from the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI, have left investors fretting over whether AI will permanently disrupt their business models.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
China will be fretting over freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who fell short of gold at the Beijing Games four years ago.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Many pro-Trump TV shows, podcasters and commentators are defaulting to a defense of law enforcement — but fretting about how the wider public is reacting to the violent imagery from Minnesota.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretting
Adjective
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There’s a fine, touching performance, however, from Showko Showfukutei as Hana’s loving but fretful mother, desperately concerned for her daughter’s well-being but inclined to show love only through unrequired domestic service.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
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The quintessential late-’80s teen, Ryder here plays a fretful mom.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And what’s happening in the West Bank on a daily basis is eroding this possibility.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Dallas is spending millions of dollars to address erosion along the trail after a 2024 report found 1,100 feet of shoreline along Garland Road is eroding and will fail without intervention.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There were plenty of fans wearing Frost and Sirens jerseys, but some of the other six teams in the league as well.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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When officers arrived, two men approached them wearing masks and gloves, carrying at least one gun.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Another issue worrying farmers in major food-producing countries like Brazil and India is that the war is also hurting the export market.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
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And so it’s been just a back-and-forth process, trying to be here, the present moment, worrying about home and headlines.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While it’s powered by retinol, an ingredient known to be irritating, this treats my under-eye with care.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
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The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.—
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Freezing the landscape in time is what the people of Vermont, and not merely tourists, want, but it’s also left residents with a vexed regard for visitors.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
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Brooding in the historical background are the plantations, the vexed issue of where the money comes from that underwrites all this charm, these impeccable manners, this unsteady gaiety.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, eating balanced meals and limiting alcohol intake can also help stabilize energy and emotional regulation.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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Many insects thrive in leaf litter and insect-eating birds will be attracted.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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China’s own commitment to open source might also be fraying at the edges.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The fraying ties prompted Islamabad to return almost three million Afghan nationals in recent months, straining Kabul’s scant resources.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fretting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretting. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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