From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfretfulfret‧ful /ˈfretfəl/ adjective TIREDanxious and complaining, and unable to relax The child was tired and fretful. —fretfully adverb —fretfulness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
fretful• The baby was tired and fretful.• And, in the next room, the over-protected child coughing and fretful.• The boy appeared fretful and disappointed that he couldn't join the others on their excursions.• All this makes Stephen fretful and peevish as well it might.• Iron Josh wasn't the only one made fretful by the delay.• The engine stopped its fretful clacking and began to bellow with satisfaction as the air became stronger.• She put her hand tentatively to her face, a small, fretful, cry escaping from her bruised lips.• A more cautious, fretful group you would rarely meet. 