1
2
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant stepping on a rope will gradually chafe it, rendering it unsafe for rock climbing
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
nothing chafes us so much as those telemarketers who call during the dinner hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in indignation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abrasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chafe
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
Every president since then has chafed against the system in one way or the other, but the Congress and the public have repeatedly deemed this a good thing.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024
But for much of the show, Abigail serves as the primary narrator, and her delivery chafes.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
The audience for his sometimes extreme views exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Americans chafed at the government shutdown measures and vaccine mandates even though those measures prevented countless deaths.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
Every president since then has chafed against the system in one way or the other, but the Congress and the public have repeatedly deemed this a good thing.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
Floyd instantly chafes at the hierarchies imposed in Jay’s household, and when the island is cut off from ferries and grocery stores are closed, the mansion becomes dependent on its cook to provide.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024
But for much of the show, Abigail serves as the primary narrator, and her delivery chafes.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
If not properly diluted, vinegar's acidity can irritate your throat or erode tooth enamel over time.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The second walk irritated the pitcher, as home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman’s ball four call on a 3-2 count appeared incorrect.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Our summer goal is to only wear styles that are breathable beyond belief.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Jackson has worn that same number throughout his football career and has won two MVPs with it.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Waltz now has a bunch of top officials, and their teams, who are annoyed at him for drawing bad publicity.—
Marc Caputo,
Axios,
25 Mar. 2025
-
However, standing in the middle of a road to capture the Eiffel Tower in the background is not only unsafe but can also annoy locals.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Newcastle United fans will be used to the fact that they aren’t allowed to enjoy these occasions before sports journalists’ chin-stroking moral indignation takes hold.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The Baldwins shame him, but their righteous indignation feels insincere considering Baldwin wasn’t using her name in that footage with detectives.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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One person is believed to have suffered a leg fracture and at least a dozen people were treated on-scene for minor abrasions.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Geneva police officers found a woman having difficulty walking on her own, with abrasions and bruising on her face, officials said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Some people may have been scratching their heads when kids started screaming and crying after seeing a pig wearing a crown; With zombie pig men and skeleton archers riding spiders, why would this specific creature elicit such a guttural reaction?—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Patrick Golz purchased a pair of $1,000,000 Gold Rush tickets, worth $50 each, and won the $1 million grand prize after scratching the second ticket, the Virginia Lottery said in an April 8 news release.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now, just as television’s role turned front-row briefing seats into prime real estate, evolving technology may erode the importance of giving those seats to television and newswire services.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Apr. 2025
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Chevron also challenged the costly wetlands restoration project proposed by the parish, which involved removing large amounts of contaminated soil and filling in the swaths fragmented wetlands eroded over the last century.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.—
Jay Cost,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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