fretful

[fret-fuhl] / ˈfrɛt fəl /

ADJECTIVE

irritable

Synonyms

WEAK

captious carping caviling complaining contrary crabby cranky critical cross crotchety edgy faultfinding fractious huffy mean ornery out of sorts peevish perverse petulant querulous short-tempered snappish splenetic testy touchy uneasy worried wreck

Antonyms

WEAK

calm cheered easygoing happy joyous laid-back pleased relaxed

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.

In this exquisitely staged show, directed by Tony winner Michael Arden, Platt recaps the story of his life with an ironic touch while singing songs that mark his fretful, meteoric journey.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

Oliver is used to hospitals, but is fretful, and wriggles as the research nurse slowly injects the treatment, about a cup full, into a catheter in his chest.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

Hoover and his aides became progressively more fretful about the settlement at Anacostia Flats, especially when its organizers began to talk about making it permanent.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

Communication failures ensue, as do the progressively more fretful faces and soundtrack music.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2024

A woman hushed a fretful baby with a pacifier.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Vocabulary lists containing fretful

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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"Sorry, Wrong Number" by Lucille Fletcher

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 6

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!