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
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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fret
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
But don't fret — the fiberglass bovines were merely on a temporary hiatus from their essential post outside the custard shop, and nine of the 20 have since made their return, fresher than ever.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Of course, in the short term, investors will fret, which is why any downturns are buying opportunities.
—Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Don’t fret over laundry day; this quilt is machine washable in warm water, dryer-friendly on low heat, and can be touched up with an iron if needed.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
Portraying the ghost of Hamlet’s father at the play’s debut, his face and body covered in chalky white paint, his Shakespeare steps through the looking glass and becomes his own tragic player, strutting and fretting his hour upon the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
But don't fret — the fiberglass bovines were merely on a temporary hiatus from their essential post outside the custard shop, and nine of the 20 have since made their return, fresher than ever.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Of course, in the short term, investors will fret, which is why any downturns are buying opportunities.
—Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Don’t fret over laundry day; this quilt is machine washable in warm water, dryer-friendly on low heat, and can be touched up with an iron if needed.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
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For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So…are the long-wearing claims actually true?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
19 Sep. 2025
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The Body After detectives discovered Rivas’ body, a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner described her as a female with wavy black hair wearing a tube top and black leggings, size small, as well as yellow metal-stud earrings and a yellow metal-chain bracelet.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Coliseum officials did weigh the possibility of sidestepping the permitting issue altogether — or at least letting the purchasers worry about it.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
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As the respiratory virus season arrives, some still worry that so many statements and counter-statements about vaccines will ultimately create a chilling effect.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Generally, mineral sunscreens are beloved by dermatologists for not irritating sensitive skin, the way chemical sunscreens can.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Too many or poorly timed nudges irritate users.—
Prithvi Singh Shergill,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Widespread panic and pain People who were not directly exposed to the disaster but who were exposed to the news also experience distress, anxiety or symptoms of PTSD.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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Naturally the thought of death came into one’s mind occasionally but one tried to be sensible about it, not getting into a panic, not pushing it away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Inside were bunk beds, a little table, and a small gear-sorting area, where two Russian men, one large and one small, were chatting and eating cheese.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
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The alert covers products distributed nationally and highlights ongoing concerns over foodborne illnesses and the safety of ready-to-eat meals.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Downside Of course, too much Airport Dad Mode can fray nerves.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
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The accords’ real aim was security, recognition, and further integration, and this is what is fraying.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That 133-page City audit barely scratched the surface of the overall dysfunction at the City’s animal shelter.—
Michael Wagner,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
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But these figures only scratch the surface of Nepal’s deep economic problems, which include pervasive vulnerable employment – informal and insecure work that is prone to poor conditions and pay – and limited opportunities that constrain long-term productivity.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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