to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent, or the like

Fretting about the lost ring isn't going to help.

to cause corrosion; gnaw into something

acids that fret at the strongest metals.

to make a way by gnawing, corrosion, wearing away, etc.

The river frets at its banks until a new channel is formed.

to become eaten, worn, or corroded (often fol. by away )

Limestone slowly frets away under pounding by the wind and rain.

to move in agitation or commotion, as water

water fretting over the stones of a brook.

to torment; irritate, annoy, or vex

You mustn't fret yourself about that.

to wear away or consume by gnawing, friction, rust, corrosives, etc.

the ocean fretting its shores.

to form or make by wearing away a substance

The river had fretted an underground passage.

to agitate (water)

Strong winds were fretting the channel.

an irritated state of mind; annoyance; vexation.

erosion; corrosion; gnawing.

a worn or eroded place.

verb

calm , comfort , soothe , appease , pacify , placate , please

verb

affront , agonize , anguish , bleed , bother , brood , carp , carry a heavy load , chafe , chagrin , distress oneself , eat one’s heart out , fume , fuss , get into a dither , grieve , lose sleep over , mope * , pother * , stew , sweat it out , take on , torment , upset oneself , abrade , agitate , displease , distress , disturb , gall , get on nerves , goad , harass , irk , irritate , nag , nettle , peeve , pique , provoke , rile , ruffle , trouble , vex , corrode , erode , excoriate , fray , riffle , ripple , wear away , wear threadbare , aggravate , bug , exasperate , get , put out , cark , dwell , mope , worry , consume , gnaw , grate , headdress , pout , rankle , roughen , rub , strait , sulk , tease , wear