fretful

[ fret-fuhl ]

/ ˈfrɛt fəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fretful ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

disposed or quick to fret; irritable or peevish.

Nearby words

fresno, fress, fret, fret saw, fretboard, fretful, fretted, fretting, fretty, fretwork, freud

Also fret·some

[fret-suhm] /ˈfrɛt səm/.

Origin of fretful

First recorded in 1585–95; fret¹ + -ful

SYNONYMS FOR fretful

petulant, querulous, impatient, testy.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fretful ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

fret·ful·ly, adverbfret·ful·ness, nounun·fret·ful, adjectiveun·fret·ful·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fretful

Calls made by Ishihara for a “new military” are alarming to many Japanese, and the Chinese blogosphere has been fretful about it.
Why Japan’s Right Turn Could Be Trouble for the U.S.|Kathryn Ibata-Arens|December 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Like George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, the fretful marionettes pondered what life would be like without Sarkozy.
France’s Petty Politics Brings Christmas Early to Scandal Lovers|Tracy McNicoll|December 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This strong and capable woman is fretful about what to wear for a dinner freighted with emotion.
Robin Givhan: Dressing for Power on USA’s ‘Political Animals'|Robin Givhan|August 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
With the air of one who does a ridiculous thing to please a fretful child, he slid down the bank and walked into the water.
Life in an Indian Outpost|Gordon Casserly

Beardsley was watching Arnold's fingers; there was something aimless and fretful as they pushed among the code-sealed tapes.
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
And schooled herself into a fretful, petulant manner of indifference.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
I thought my sister submitted with the greatest patience, replied my uncle Toby—I never heard her utter one fretful word about it.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman|Laurence Sterne
It was a horrible house, spilling over with fretful people and fretful things.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell

British Dictionary definitions for fretful

fretful

/ (ˈfrɛtfʊl) /

adjective

peevish, irritable, or upset

Derived Forms

fretfully, adverbfretfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012