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
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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
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
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Recent Examples of fret
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Maybe fretting over fading attention spans is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
There’s no need to fret about sticking to a rigid routine (which is probably more practical with older kids), and your kids aren’t afraid to come up with new plans and ideas at the last minute.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026
And while the bouquet sold out in under a minute after this year's launch, there's no need to fret.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Verb
The outperformance is relatively new for investors who once fretted that Alphabet had been surpassed in technological prowess by startups like OpenAI, which would erode Google’s huge market share in internet search.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Maybe fretting over fading attention spans is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
There’s no need to fret about sticking to a rigid routine (which is probably more practical with older kids), and your kids aren’t afraid to come up with new plans and ideas at the last minute.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026
And while the bouquet sold out in under a minute after this year's launch, there's no need to fret.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret
Verb
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Meanwhile, the sinkhole had grown to 7 feet across and 10 feet deep and continues to actively erode the ground around it, Krul told The Star.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
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But multiple flood events over the decades have continued to erode the older infrastructure, leaving parts of it unsupported.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cody Powers said that his mother wore State Farm sweatshirts and T-shirts and entered every promotion the company offered.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
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Complex magazine also reported that the number may have served as a tribute to the singer's late uncle, who wore 64 as a football player.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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Other recent departures underscore the tension between some researchers worried about safety and top executives eager to generate revenue.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both add flavor and hydration with minimal calories, but their acidity can irritate acid reflux and tooth enamel.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2026
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Undiluted bleach can leave behind a residue that is toxic to birds and may irritate their eyes and skin.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index, set to hit screens days after their original release dates , could re-instill confidence in the market following a recent bout of panic selling.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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That level of panic is premature, experts say.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hunters and birdwatchers are advised to wear gloves when handling birds or feeders, to wash hands thoroughly after any contact, and to not eating birds that appear sick or birds that are found dead.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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Without Callie around, the chasm between Minnie — who holds an after-school job and eats microwaved junk at home — and Callie’s other friends feels wider than ever.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On a recent walk around Manhattan, for instance, Hadid paired blue jeans with a raw, fraying hem with classic loafers, a perfect combination of hippie and preppy.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
10 Feb. 2026
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His voting coalition is fraying, too.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Allowing dirt and debris to sit on your floors can damage or scratch the surface during everyday use or when mopping.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
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Pavel Mintyukov, defenseman, B Olen Zellweger, defenseman, B Mintyukov was scratched for a stint and Zellweger has seen his power-play usage halved year-over-year.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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