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fraught

adjective
\ ˈfrȯt How to pronounce fraught (audio) \

Definition of fraught

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : full of or accompanied by something specified —used with with a situation fraught with dangerThe paper was poorly researched and is fraught with errors.
2 : causing or characterized by emotional distress or tension : uneasy a fraught relationship

3 archaic

a : laden
b : well supplied or provided

fraught

noun
\ ˈfrȯḵt How to pronounce fraught (audio) \

Definition of fraught (Entry 2 of 3)

chiefly Scotland
: load, cargo

fraught

verb
\ ˈfrȯḵt How to pronounce fraught (audio) \
fraughted or fraught; fraughting

Definition of fraught (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland
: load, freight
Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about fraught

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Did You Know?

Verb

The drowmound was so hevy fraught / That unethe myght it saylen aught. That verse, from the 14th-century poem "Richard Coer de Lion," says that a large ship (a dromond) was so heavily loaded that it could barely sail. That's the first instance we have on record of the adjective "fraught." The word came to Middle English from the Middle Dutch or Middle Low German noun vracht, which meant "load" and which is also the source of the word freight. Middle English also possessed a noun "fraught" that meant "load" and a verb "fraughten" that meant "to load" (meanings still retained in Scottish English by "fraught," the verb and noun). For centuries, "fraught" continued to be used only of loaded ships, but its use was eventually broadened.

Examples of fraught in a Sentence

Adjective

 every room in my childhood home is fraught with memories had a fraught meeting with his estranged wife to discuss a divorce settlement

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Less convincing are Affleck and Johnson in the Matt-Nicole relationship, which is fraught with suspicion and betrayal under the appearance of true love. — Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Friend': Film Review | TIFF 2019," 7 Sep. 2019 But emerging market debt is fraught with problems and is subject to a much higher risk of default. — Charlie Farrell, The Denver Post, "Road to Retirement: Looking for investment income, beware of income traps," 1 Sep. 2019 Chicago Bears’ running back Ryan Nall’s road to a spot on the final 53-man roster is fraught with danger. — oregonlive.com, "Watch: Former Oregon State star Ryan Nall busts a 69-yard run for the Chicago Bears," 25 Aug. 2019 In determining why no one was charged in Koschman’s death, Webb’s starting point was an eight-year-old police investigation fraught with problems from the very beginning. — Jason Meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb given far-reaching mandate to investigate Jussie Smollett case: ‘The facts will take me where they take me’," 24 Aug. 2019 Indeed, mortgage experts estimate that perhaps 75% of all the house sales in Detroit are still made for cash or on land contracts — ways fraught with risks for buyers and that lack the protections that a traditional mortgage carries. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit can't cherry-pick statistics, ignore inconvenient facts," 21 Aug. 2019 An instinctive form of trust is required for volunteers to navigate calls fraught with heightened depressed or anxiety. — Alison Kuznitz, BostonGlobe.com, "‘I validate your pain’: A new suicide prevention program on Cape Cod is rethinking mental health care," 10 Aug. 2019 The state fair, a quadrennial presidential prerequisite stop, is a cultural obstacle course more fraught with pitfalls than opportunities to sway the narrow band of voters who will attend the state's kickoff caucuses in less than six months. — Thomas Beaumont, Fortune, "Iowa State Fair: Where U.S. Politics and Fried Oreos Intersect," 8 Aug. 2019 Stepping into his ancestor’s tap shoes, the doctor finds that making a monster is fraught with hilarious complications, including his fiancée (Amanda Bender) and local policeman (Stephen Berg). — Joan Rusek, cleveland.com, "Chagrin Valley Little Theater cast brings ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fraught.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of fraught

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fraught

Adjective

Middle English, from past participle of fraughten — see fraught entry 3

Noun

Middle English, freight, load, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German vracht, vrecht

Verb

Middle English fraughten, from fraught entry 2

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More Definitions for fraught

fraught

adjective
How to pronounce fraught (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fraught

: causing or having a lot of emotional stress or worry

See the full definition for fraught in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fraught

adjective
\ ˈfrȯt How to pronounce fraught (audio) \

Kids Definition of fraught

: full of some quality The situation is fraught with danger.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fraught

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with fraught

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fraught

Spanish Central: Translation of f

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