What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fretful
Example
The mother was fretful about her son's safety. [fretful: adjective]
Example
He was feeling fretful and couldn't concentrate on his work. [fretful: adjective]
agitated
Example
She was agitated by the news of the accident. [agitated: adjective]
Example
The crowd became agitated when they heard the announcement. [agitated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Agitated is more commonly used than fretful in everyday language. Agitated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fretful is less common and refers to a specific state of emotional unrest.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between fretful and agitated?
Both fretful and agitated are relatively formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, agitated may be used in more informal contexts to describe a state of excitement or enthusiasm.