as in irritable
tending towards or characterized by agitation or irritability
They finally lulled the fretful baby to sleep. I kept having fretful thoughts about what would happen if we couldn't pay our bills.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 fretful
Nothing gave voice to the fretful backlash more than Trump.
—
James Morone, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Joe Biden and his presidential campaign continued to try to assuage fretful donors following the president’s dismal performance at the debate on Thursday.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 June 2024
Overall, the results point to a world that is, despite its manifold woes, more happy than fretful.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 25 June 2024
Kounalakis would very much like to be California’s next governor, and her fretful appearance in the 30-second spot is very much a part of her strategy to make that happen in November 2026.
—Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fretful 
James Morone, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Joe Biden and his presidential campaign continued to try to assuage fretful donors following the president’s dismal performance at the debate on Thursday.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 June 2024
Overall, the results point to a world that is, despite its manifold woes, more happy than fretful.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 25 June 2024
Kounalakis would very much like to be California’s next governor, and her fretful appearance in the 30-second spot is very much a part of her strategy to make that happen in November 2026.
—Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fretful
Adjective
-
Even if a more irritable side of her personality has emerged, there’s no excuse for cruelty.R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
-
In worst-case scenarios, pain can cause a dog to be more irritable and aggressive, like if a human had a severe headache and couldn't tolerate social interaction, Enomoto said.Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Farmers are anxious about the loss of farmland, and the Manx National Farmers’ Union has opposed plans elsewhere to convert agricultural land to rainforest.Christine Ro, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
-
This promise has left people in the area anxious about the deep impact new workplace raids could have on the community's psyche and the economy.Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In the weeks since the presidential election, the network’s primetime audience has fallen by about half, sparking scores of stories about a troubled operation.Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2024
-
The 2017 film from director Nikolaj Arcel introduces audiences to Jake Chambers (Tom Taylor), a troubled teenager plagued by visions of a mysterious tower, a malevolent sorcerer and a lone gunslinger.Travis Bean, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Some South Florida fire rescue agencies’ protocols call it agitated delirium.Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
-
The crowd, seemingly more agitated, followed Mayweather into the street.Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Still, some residents are worried about the drones.Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
-
Lawmakers in New Jersey and beyond grew worried Friday about the now-regular spotting of drones over the state, with officials calling for answers and more transparency from federal agencies.The Hill, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Tyler Hines did such an amazing job of being a mentor this season, and a supporter for all of us nervous guys in the middle of a competition.Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Read more Auto giants are getting nervous about the prospect of mega fines as EV demand falters ‘Europe’s Detroit’ built a thriving car industry.Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Thirty-one percent of respondents are apprehensive about disciplining their children in public for fear of tantrums, a concern that Janning suggested may be amplified by the growing concern of negative judgment on social media.Julianna Bragg, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Getting pummeled again and again by hurricanes has left many in Florida's Taylor County tired, alarmed and apprehensive.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
The songs are muscular and syncretic as ever, but the normally peevish rapper doesn’t maintain his trolling energy for the full record, settling into a questioning and pensive pace.Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
-
For all that, his Arthur remains a lowly outsider, with a downcast gaze, a peevish temper, and a deep well of melancholy that never feels one-note.Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fretful
Cite this Entry
“Fretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fretful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share