fretful

Also fret·some

[fret-fuhl]

adjective

1. disposed or quick to fret; irritable or peevish.

   Synonyms: testy, impatient, querulous, petulant

fretful

/ ˈfrɛtfʊl /

adjective

1. peevish, irritable, or upset

Other Word Forms

• fretfully adverb
• fretfulness noun
• unfretful adjective
• unfretfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fretful¹

First recorded in 1585–95; fret ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

In a twitch, a head tilt or a whine, Indy communicates his emotions: curious, lonely, contented, confused, fretful, desperate or petrified.

From Los Angeles Times

But there is no doubting this is a fretful moment, adversaries and conflicts around the world, deep seated problems at home.

From BBC

With their heavy eyebrows and square jaws, they look like a fretful phalanx of Martin Scorseses reluctantly conceding that the movie is pretty fun.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond that, he was shut down by fretful Democratic party operatives and politicians who told him: How can you talk about “Bidenomics” when polls say so many people aren’t “feeling the benefits”?!

From Salon

As Queenie, navigating empty relationships and professional disappointments on a journey from self-sabotage to self-worth, Brown makes a whole person from a variety of attitudes — hopeful, hopeless, hungover, exuberant, fretful, thoughtful.

From Los Angeles Times