FRETFUL

fretful. Fretful, a. peevish, angry, uneasy, dissatisfied

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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. — 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.