as in fretful
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretting
Adjective
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At the very least, Washington sought to assure the fretful Parsons that all was not yet lost.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025 -
Now, for many in the business world, that question feels almost passé, part of an earlier, more fretful era of narratives.—
Talmon Joseph Smith,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Heat’s decision to suspend Butler marks the latest turning point in an obviously eroding relationship.—
James Jackson,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
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In an era of eroding public trust and red-hot campus culture wars, the public higher education is now more political than ever, said Holden Thorp, editor in chief of the journal Science and former chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.—
Ian Hodgson,
Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
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Conclusion While the Fed’s efforts to tame runaway inflation rates has helped market sentiments in the past, its recent hawkish outlook for 2025 is now worrying investors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cover irritating clothing seams with a smooth material such as silk to avoid abrasive irritation.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2025
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At Abercrombie & Fitch Packed with conditioning and hydrating castor oil, argan oil & coconut oil, this eyelash & brow growth serum will help promote the appearance of longer, fuller looking lashes and brows without the use of irritating or harmful ingredients.—
refinery29.com,
refinery29.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Though a seven shot gap to leader Spaun is more than closable for a mercurial talent chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Players crown, Scheffler – typically unflappable – looked uncharacteristically vexed after issues with the strong winds and putting.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
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More broadly, Cairo seeks to redeem the vexed legacy of Camp David.—
Lisa Anderson,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Iris lumbered over and started eating from the pile under Poppy.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Should the host have ordered more food for the latecomers, especially since the other parents were eating food meant for the children?—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Neither mentioned the constitutional spending cap, a measure designed to ensure fiscal responsibility that many economists blame for the fraying state of Germany's infrastructure.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
16 Dec. 2024
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And cheaper polo belts are stitched with shorter pieces of thread which will unravel over time, creating a fraying effect—but the best quality belts are stitched from longer pieces of thread which won’t unravel.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
23 Dec. 2024
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But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process.—
Jeremy Vaughan,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Fretting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretting. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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