frazzle
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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to wear to threads or shreds; fray.
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to weary; tire out.
Those six eight-year-olds frazzled me.
noun
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the state of being frazzled or worn-out.
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a remnant; shred.
verb
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informal to make or become exhausted or weary; tire out
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a less common word for fray 2
noun
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informal the state of being frazzled or exhausted
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a frayed end or remnant
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informal absolutely; completely (esp in the phrase burnt to a frazzle )
Etymology
Origin of frazzle
1815–25; blend of fray 2 and fazzle, Middle English faselin to unravel, cognate with German faseln
Explanation
To frazzle is to tire or wear someone out. Traffic jams and looming deadlines tend to frazzle people. Frazzle is a funny-looking word, but it means something not-so-funny: being exhausted, physically or mentally. Parents are frazzled by their children crying and running around. A difficult job like serving as a police officer is extremely frazzling. Doing anything that takes a mental, emotional, or physical toll is frazzling. When someone feels tired, they will often say "I'm frazzled!"
Vocabulary lists containing frazzle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The probe will have to endure temperatures of 1,400C and radiation that could frazzle the onboard electronics.
From BBC • Dec. 23, 2024
It turns out Son has the speed of thought and movement to frazzle an unguarded defensive flank.
From The Guardian • Nov. 23, 2019
“Campaigns are exhausting. They frazzle your soul. … It’s like trying to ride a bicycle in an earthquake,” Galston says.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2019
“Campaigns are exhausting. They frazzle your soul. . . . It’s like trying to ride a bicycle in an earthquake,” Galston says.
From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2019
Though glad to see daylight, she was worn to a frazzle.
From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
