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fretful - 3 dictionary results

fret⋅ful

  [fret-fuhl]
Use fretful in a Sentence
–adjective
disposed or quick to fret; irritable or peevish.
Also, fret⋅some  [fret-suhm] .

Origin:
1585–95; fret 1 + -ful

Related forms:
fret⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
fret⋅ful⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
petulant, querulous, impatient, testy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fretful
fret·ful   (frět'fəl)   
adj.  
  1. Inclined to be vexed or troubled; peevish.
  2. Marked by worry and distress; troublesome: "Of all the fretful stages of human development, adolescence is the most infamous" (David Gelman).
fret'ful·ly adv., fret'ful·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Fretful

Fret"ful\, a. [See 2d Fret.] Disposed to fret; ill-humored; peevish; angry; in a state of vexation; as, a fretful temper. -- Fret"ful-ly, adv. -- Fret"ful-ness, n.

Syn: Peevish; ill-humored; ill-natured; irritable; waspish; captious; petulant; splenetic; spleeny; passionate; angry.

Usage: Fretful, Peevish, Cross. These words all indicate an unamiable working and expression of temper. Peevish marks more especially the inward spirit: a peevish man is always ready to find fault. Fretful points rather to the outward act, and marks a complaining impatience: sickly children are apt to be fretful. Crossness is peevishness mingled with vexation or anger.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : fretful
Spanish: inquieto,
German: ärgerlich,
Japanese: 気むずかしい
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