Fretsome

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈfrɛtsəm/

Definitions

1. causing unease and distress through persistent troubles marked by an inclination to irritability and restlessness resulting in feelings of agitation and concern that disrupt inner peace
2. Creating a feeling of worry or nervous discomfort that unsettles the mind
3. Producing persistent agitation and concern that interrupt calmness

Etymology: "Fretsome" is a plain formation: the verb "fret" with the suffix "-some," which English uses to make adjectives meaning "characterized by" or "causing" the base idea, as in "awesome" or "troublesome." "Fret" itself goes back to Old English "fretan," meaning "to devour" or "eat away," and the sense of worry and gnawing anxiety grew out of that image of something slowly wearing a thing down. So "fretsome" describes a state that keeps eating at calm, producing a steady undercurrent of unease rather than a single sharp alarm.

Synonyms: irritating, troublesome, annoying

Antonyms: calm, soothing