FRET Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

fret 1 of 2

verb

ˈfret

Definition of fret

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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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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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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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

Take-Two’s stock has slid as investors fret over the breach, but industry analysts and USC experts say even a playable leak is unlikely to dent the game franchise’s record-shattering sales. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Investors worldwide fret that tech firms’ revenues are struggling to keep up with the AI spending spree, which has added substantially to their debt piles, part of the reason some have pivoted to selling equity as Google also did in June. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Harvard University’s policy capping A grades among undergraduates doesn’t officially start for another year, but students heading back to school this fall are already fretting over the changes. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile in England, Queen Victoria fretted about receiving a gemstone obtained in such an unsavory way, and worried about the condition of Duleep. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fret

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fret

Verb

The new king must steady royal fortunes amid damaging scrutiny of Queen Mette-Marit’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and stepson Marius Høiby’s rape conviction, which has eroded public support for the monarchy.

— Jan M. Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The new home of Engine 8 — staffed by 12 firefighters who work in four-person crews — replaces its previous facility, which traces its origins back to 1913 and sits on the eroding west bank of Coyote Creek four blocks away.

— Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of erode

Verb

Homecoming aside, there’s still the Trawler to worry about, a fact we’re reminded of when another victim turns up on a playground, this time with a pentagram carved into his back and fish corpses shoved into his wounds.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Bessent’s answer indicates that US officials worry going after Chinese banks would be crossing a red line.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

Antosh recommends checking with a doctor before using a high-pressure bidet right after childbirth or with genital ulcers, since powerful streams can irritate healing tissue.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Oh, and don’t worry about sparkles irritating your gaze—the formula is ophthalmologist-tested.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritate

Noun

There’s a lot of panic right now about the bumpy intersection of artificial intelligence and art-making.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Unwilling to expose himself in this moment, Paul Baker juggles both of his competing personas, continuing the bro-y shouting but with a new panic in his voice and in Jack Innanen’s expressions.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of panic

Verb

The quality of your diet is more important than fasting; eating nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats supports brain health.

— Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2026
Where to eat and drink The 1947 classic Cattlemen's Steak House, which was given a new life—along with a members-only club in its basement—by mega-producer Taylor Sheridan, features modern steakhouse go-tos.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of eat

Verb

Its uniquely wide view will also help scientists decode the intricacies of dark matter and dark energy while perhaps clearing up some contradictions about our universe that scientists have been scratching their heads over for decades.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Culturally, college football scratches the human itch for tribalism, which America’s ethos of individualism fortunately discourages.

— George F. Will, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scratch

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“Fret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fret. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fret

verb

noun

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