What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
querulous
Example
The querulous customer complained about every little detail of the meal. [querulous: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a querulous tone, expressing her annoyance with the situation. [querulous: adjective]
fretful
Example
The baby was fretful and wouldn't stop crying. [fretful: adjective]
Example
He was feeling fretful about the upcoming exam. [fretful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fretful is more commonly used than querulous in everyday language. Fretful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while querulous is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between querulous and fretful?
Both querulous and fretful are formal words that are not commonly used in casual conversation. They are more likely to be used in writing or formal speech.