fret

To worry or annoy someone, or to keep feeling worried about something.

• Don’t fret about the weather.
• The long delay fretted him.
• She fretted over how to pay the bills.

How to use it: fret about/over something (She frets over every small mistake.)

Similar words: worry, irritate

Common phrases: fret about something, fret over something

To disturb water or another liquid so that its surface moves in small waves.

• A breeze fretted the water.
• The stream fretted against the stones.
• Cold winds fret the surface of the lake.

Similar words: ripple, agitate

Common phrases: fret the water, fret the surface

To become damaged or thin through repeated rubbing.

• The rope frets where it touches the rock.
• Years of rubbing fretted the cloth at its edges.
• The wristband had begun to fret away.

Similar words: fray, wear away, chafe

Common phrases: fret at edges, fret away

To remain deeply upset or move in a violently disturbed way.

• Anger fretted within him.
• The stormy sea fretted against the cliffs.
• Old resentment still frets in her heart.

Similar words: seethe, rankle

Common phrases: fret within someone, fret against something

A narrow raised bar across an instrument’s neck that helps you choose the note when pressing a string.

• Press the string behind the first fret.
• Some frets on this guitar are worn.
• He moved his finger up two frets.

Common phrases: first fret, guitar fret, twelfth fret

Small waves or disturbed movement on the surface of a liquid.

• A slight fret disturbed the water.
• Fermentation produced a fret on the liquid’s surface.
• The breeze left the pond in a gentle fret.

Similar words: rippling, agitation

Common phrases: surface fret, fret of water

A state of worry or irritation that makes someone impatient or likely to complain.

• She was in a fret all morning.
• The missing letter kept him in a fret.
• His constant fret made everyone uncomfortable.

Similar words: agitation, irritation, worry

Opposites: calm

Common phrases: in a fret, constant fret

An old name for skin diseases that cause sores or small raised spots.

• The old physician called the rash a fret.
• Herbal treatment was prescribed for the fret.
• The patient’s fret caused painful sores.

Similar words: herpes, tetter

Common phrases: skin fret, a fret