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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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
Megan Greenwell, Bloomberg, 9 June 2026
Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 June 2026
Bombshells Kenzie is fretting about not being Zach’s type and yet not taking the hint all the way until bombshell time the following night.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 June 2026
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
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
Verb
On the other side of the office, Islas, Alejo’s boss, is fretting about how to keep Alejo’s team employed.
—Megan Greenwell, Bloomberg, 9 June 2026
Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 June 2026
Bombshells Kenzie is fretting about not being Zach’s type and yet not taking the hint all the way until bombshell time the following night.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretting
Adjective
-
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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China's anti-involution campaign aims to dissuade industries against destructive price wars to gain market share at the expense of eroding profits.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
25 Aug. 2025
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This strategy, often driven by insecurity, harms productivity, morale, and innovation, while eroding trust and talent.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Marching for pride and community March attendees and participants ranged from noise-cancelling-headphone-wearing infants to LGBTQ+ elders, and many shared the same sentiments of promoting unity and community during Pride Month.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
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The culprit — wearing tinted hippie glasses, a white tank top and a flower-print skirt — responded with a sheepish shrug and a smile.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Now, his husband has been left worrying and praying.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Is there a health issue that's worrying you?—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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His frustration manifests as bullying or irritating Radha.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Well, this latest adaptation could, which spins the aforementioned plot points in staggeringly irritating ways.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Who would not raise a glass to the memory of so vexed a merrymaker, under whose spell the city is transformed into an exotic pastoral?—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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But best of all here is the vexed mother/daughter relationship, which can echo Lizzy’s terms with her own mother.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
4 June 2025
Verb
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They’re named for the fries Steve remembers eating as a kid in a small mountain village in the Apennines in southern Bologna.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
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When food is digested slowly, glucose is released more gradually into the bloodstream, preventing a significant spike in blood sugar levels after eating.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 July 2025
Verb
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However, fraying alliances between Europe and the US and pressure around the war in Ukraine have prompted some analysts to argue that Brussels lacks the capacity to reinvigorate its relationship with Africa.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
26 Nov. 2025
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Millennials Curtis, Castor, Leo and Jeff — who have been friends for decades — discover the bonds of their relationship are fraying.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fretting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretting. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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