fraught

1 synonym and 2 antonyms for fraught, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Filled with something unpleasant, especially tension, danger, or difficulty.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pregnant

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Filled with something unpleasant, especially tension, danger, or difficulty.

“The negotiations were fraught with tension from the start.”

pregnant

Opposites

empty

2. adj

Stressed, anxious, or emotionally strained.

“She sounded fraught on the phone after the long delay.”

Opposites

imperturbable

How to use fraught

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fraught with danger fraught relationship fraught situation

Etymology

From Middle English fraught, originally meaning a ship's cargo (related to "freight") — the sense shifted from a ship being "loaded" with goods to a situation being "loaded" with tension.

Full origin of fraught →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fraught” mean?

The word “fraught” means filled with something unpleasant, especially tension, danger, or difficulty. In plain terms, tense, difficult, or loaded with risk or stress.

How do you pronounce “fraught”?

“Fraught” is pronounced frawt (/fɹɔːt/ in IPA).

How do you use “fraught” in a sentence?

Here is “fraught” used in a sentence: “The negotiations were fraught with tension from the start.”

What part of speech is “fraught”?

“Fraught” is an adjective.

Where does the word “fraught” come from?

The word “fraught” comes from Middle English. From Middle English fraught, originally meaning a ship's cargo (related to "freight") — the sense shifted from a ship being "loaded" with goods to a situation being "loaded" with tension.

Is “fraught” a common word?

“Fraught” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “fraught” have?

“Fraught” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: filled with something unpleasant, especially tension, danger, or difficulty.

Related words

freight

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Nearby words

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