fretful

adjective

fret·​ful ˈfret-fəl How to pronounce fretful (audio)
: disposed to fret : irritable, restless
fretfully adverb
fretfulness noun

Examples of fretful in a Sentence

He fell into a fretful sleep.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There’s naïve Jill (Nicola Turner and then, in adulthood, Helena Wilson), excitable Ruby (Sophia Ally and Ophelia Lovibond), and fretful Gloria (Nancy Allsop and Leanne Best); and then—played by Lara McDonnell as a teen and by Donnelly in a pointed piece of double-casting as an adult—there’s Joan. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024 Which is neurotically fretful for a chef who prides himself on buying the very best ingredients in the market. John Mariani, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 In 2020, Joe did sterling work managing the inheritance of the Trump administration, but for weeks there’s been a fretful question mark over his ability to win reelection. Raven Smith, Vogue, 22 July 2024 Nothing gave voice to the fretful backlash more than Trump. James Morone, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 See all Example Sentences for fretful 

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fretful was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near fretful

Cite this Entry

“Fretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fretful. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fretful

adjective
fret·​ful ˈfret-fəl How to pronounce fretful (audio)
1
: inclined to worry
a fretful child
2
: not relaxing or restful
a fretful sleep
fretfully adverb
fretfulness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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