1
as in eroded
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wore
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 worried
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fretted
The state’s changes to the rates chafed some local districts’ officials, including fire districts that fretted about affording equipment and firefighters as risks from wildfires loomed large year-round.
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Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent college grads in particular felt the pinch, and economic policymakers fretted about slowing labor growth.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Stock-watchers cheered a market boom, and fretted about a bubble.
—Mark Niquette, Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
Stock-watchers cheered a market boom, and fretted about a bubble.
—Mark Niquette, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
Rather than sparking a larger war, as some analysts fretted, Soleimani’s assassination permanently set back Iran’s proxies.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
Generations of workers have fretted about the future of Social Security, the retirement trust fund.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Even environmentalists like Al Gore who once fretted about catastrophic accidents and radioactive waste are warming to the technology.
—Brad Plumer, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
Physicians and engineers alike fretted about the high stakes if a system malfunctioned.
—Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretted
Verb
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But police-reform advocates say the momentum for change after Floyd’s death has stalled — and in some cases reversed — as transparency by law-enforcement agencies across the Bay Area and the nation has steadily eroded.—
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Consumers have remained reluctant to spend amid an uncertain employment outlook and a prolonged property crisis that has eroded household wealth.—
Verb
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For the Los Angeles premiere of Marty Supreme, the two wore custom Chrome Hearts looks.—
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Emma Stone wore comfy, but sophisticated silk pants to a Louis Vuitton event in New York.—
Verb
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In contrast, 72% of respondents worried about the United States becoming too involved in the South American country, USA TODAY reports.—
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In contrast, 72% of respondents worried about the United States becoming too involved in the South American country.—
Verb
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The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.—
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Other signs your skin is being irritated by a beauty product include redness or flaking.—
Verb
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On one day in late December, Eden barely ate all day.—
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While neither is an effective big league pitcher at this point, those moves ate into the Yankees’ limited rotation depth.—
Verb
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In the fallout, the close relationship between Perez and Albritton frayed.—
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The pants feature slightly frayed, cuffed hems with an inseam that’s suitable for shorter frames, plus they’re made from stretchy denim for all-day comfort.—
Verb
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Two bills returned into Rafiq’s hand upon his pointing out that the wood panelling on the side of the radio was scratched and that the knob felt rather flimsy.—
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Her feet were red and bruised, her face and neck were scratched and bruises that appeared to be finger imprints were visible on her neck, the affidavit says.—
Verb
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Bulldog or border collie, barking or getting its belly rubbed, a dog can be many things while still remaining a dog.—
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William and Kate being so involved in what happened with Andrew reportedly rubbed Queen Camilla the wrong way.—
Cite this Entry
“Fretted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretted. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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