fret 1 of 2

verb

ˈfret How to pronounce fret (audio)
Definition of fretnext
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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to irritate
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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fret

2 of 2

noun

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

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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
Verb
Other European politicians fretted about national infrastructure and defense, with one comparing the loss of Mythos to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 But don’t fret—there are some ways to make your flying experience a bit smoother. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026 If your drive brings you by Sid’s before lunchtime, don’t fret. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 Months ago, businesses fretted over adversaries using AI to attack. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
  1. erode
  2. wear
  3. worry
  4. irritate
  5. panic
  6. eat
  7. fray
  8. scratch
Verb
  • Hence the switch, a year or so after the film’s release, to a stadium now named after the latest in a long line of sponsors that, for all the vital money brought in, have slightly eroded identity.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • If Chinese production pushes hardware prices into a freefall, the collateral backing hundreds of billions in private loans could erode far faster than the terms of the debt itself, leaving investors exposed to losses, according to Emons.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • Cue forward Josh Windass revealing on camera how James, as one of those who had worn the armband during the season, had approached him about setting up a meeting with just the players present.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Workers who spend hours outdoors, such as construction and farm workers, also commonly wear UPF clothing.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • Hospices, good and bad, worry about their bottom lines and Medicare's fraud audits.
    — Kim Clark, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But that’s left some observers worried Disney wasn’t bringing in enough summertime visitors.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Lemon water can irritate teeth or stomach in large amounts and may need to be limited in people with advanced kidney disease who have fluid or potassium restrictions.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Few things at airports irritate customers like filthy toilets or water on the restroom floor.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • The move set off a panic rush for tax and legal advice, and a scramble for cash to meet the bill.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yohanna Embu, who lives in Sikka, said people ran in a panic to higher ground.
    — Yacob Herin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of panic
Verb
  • About how many pounds of fish do each of these strapping, 1,100-lb lads eat per day?
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Strawberries offer a taste of summer, even when they are eaten in the dead of winter.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of eat
Verb
  • The long-staple cotton threads are less likely to fray or feel rough to the touch, helping the sheets maintain that smooth finish over time.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 Aug. 2026
  • More drones and missiles are slipping through both sides’ fraying air defenses, meaning that the civilian death toll has increased, and more critical infrastructure is being damaged.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • But all of these methods could damage the register by scratching the finish or denting the louvers.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Most on this roster aren’t established major leaguers, but players scratching and clawing for staying power.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of scratch

Browse Nearby Words

freshwater
fret
fret (about or over)
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Cite this Entry

“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fret

Nglish: Translation of fret for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fret

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