frazzle

1 of 2

verb

fraz·​zle ˈfra-zəl How to pronounce frazzle (audio)
frazzled; frazzling ˈfra-zə-liŋ How to pronounce frazzle (audio)
ˈfraz-liŋ
Synonyms of frazzlenext

transitive verb

1
: fray entry 2
2
a
: to put in a state of extreme physical or nervous fatigue
b
: upset

intransitive verb

: to become frazzled

frazzle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the state of being frazzled
2
: a condition of fatigue or nervous exhaustion
worn to a frazzle

Synonyms of frazzle

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of frazzle in a Sentence

Verb He's a clever player who knows how to frazzle his opponents. years of use have frazzled the cord for the window blinds to the breaking point Noun months of overtime work have left her worn to a frazzle
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The boyfriend, a British DJ named James Kennedy, who had been playing a clunky set in the background, weaves over to the women, sweaty and frazzled. — Sylvia Varnham O’Regan, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 Somehow the small exchange had left me unaccountably frazzled, almost bereft. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
There are subtler ways to explore the chaotic frazzle of modern life than through the violent synthesis of superfruits in a blender. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2021 The tackles, the contact and the double teams had worn him to a frazzle. — Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2021 See All Example Sentences for frazzle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of English dialect fazle to tangle, fray

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frazzle was circa 1825

Phrases Containing frazzle

Rhymes for frazzle

See All Rhymes for frazzle

Browse Nearby Words

frazil
frazzle
frazzled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frazzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frazzle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

frazzle

1 of 2 noun
fraz·​zle ˈfraz-əl How to pronounce frazzle (audio)
: a tired or nervous condition
worn to a frazzle

frazzle

2 of 2 verb
1
: fray entry 2
2
: to cause to be in a tired or nervous condition
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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