Fretful \Fret"ful\, a. [See 2d {Fret}.]
   Disposed to fret; ill-humored; peevish; angry; in a state of
   vexation; as, a fretful temper. -- {Fretful*ly}, adv. --
   {Fretful*ness}, n.

   Syn: Peevish; ill-humored; ill-natured; irritable; waspish;
        captious; petulant; splenetic; spleeny; passionate;
        angry.

   Usage: {Fretful}, {Peevish}, {Cross}. These words all
          indicate an unamiable working and expression of
          temper. Peevish marks more especially the inward
          spirit: a peevish man is always ready to find fault.
          Fretful points rather to the outward act, and marks a
          complaining impatience: sickly children are apt to be
          fretful. Crossness is peevishness mingled with
          vexation or anger.
          
[1913 Webster]