1
as in to erode
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 to wear
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 to worry
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
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
one of my customers always gets into a fret if I'm so much as 15 minutes late delivering his newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 fret
Andrew Keatts, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Investors are fretting about Trump's policies and growing concern about a recession hitting the U.S. this year.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
The good news is America’s top economist, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, is not fretting just yet.
—David Goldman, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Even with that uncertainty days before the deadline, Greenway wasn’t fretting the way others might have been.
—Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
Don't fret: less adventurous kids can opt for Madagascar vanilla, double chocolate or mile and cookies.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Investors are fretting about Trump's policies and growing concern about a recession hitting the U.S. this year.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
The good news is America’s top economist, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, is not fretting just yet.
—David Goldman, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Even with that uncertainty days before the deadline, Greenway wasn’t fretting the way others might have been.
—Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
-
Now, just as television’s role turned front-row briefing seats into prime real estate, evolving technology may erode the importance of giving those seats to television and newswire services.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Chevron also challenged the costly wetlands restoration project proposed by the parish, which involved removing large amounts of contaminated soil and filling in the swaths fragmented wetlands eroded over the last century.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Jackson has worn that same number throughout his football career and has won two MVPs with it.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Among the Trump administration’s demands on Columbia University in return for restoring $400 million in funding was a ban on masks, which many peaceful protesters wear not to menace others but to avoid being identified by facial recognition.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout the night, Booker read letters from constituents worried about losing access to affordable health care, emphasizing that these concerns were not abstract but deeply personal for millions of people.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Musk ‘brand tornado crisis’ hits sales Analysts continue to worry that Musk’s actions elsewhere are hurting Tesla.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
If not properly diluted, vinegar's acidity can irritate your throat or erode tooth enamel over time.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The second walk irritated the pitcher, as home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman’s ball four call on a 3-2 count appeared incorrect.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump faces growing pushback from his own party The markets were still in a panic on Monday when an unverified report circulated that the president was considering a 90-day pause on the tariffs.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Bitcoin and other crypto tokens joined the rest of the market earlier this week in a downward plunge amid growing panic about Trump’s tariffs.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
However hot dogs may have originated, the council estimates Americans will eat 7 billion of them between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.—
Don Sweeney,
sacbee,
19 July 2017
-
Eating it: Some folks spoon directly into their mouths.—
Ann Maloney,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
Verb
-
Their sense of social well-being is fraying at an alarming rate.—
Gillian Oakenfull,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The fascia is peeling off, roof shingles are fraying, the stairs should be replaced and the electrical system needs an upgrade.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Some people may have been scratching their heads when kids started screaming and crying after seeing a pig wearing a crown; With zombie pig men and skeleton archers riding spiders, why would this specific creature elicit such a guttural reaction?—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Cougars had turnovers prior to that possession, but the fact that no shot went up near the final buzzer had many scratching their heads as to what Houston was thinking.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share