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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in abrasion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chafe
Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
On This may look like a low impact-worthy set, but the fabric is advanced enough for high-sweat sessions, offering chafe-free support and moisture-wicking capabilities.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
The vote is the result of constitutional amendments pushed last year by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who, like President Trump, often chafed at court rulings blocking his initiatives.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
And this chafes against Bitcoin’s underlying ethos of decentralization.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
On This may look like a low impact-worthy set, but the fabric is advanced enough for high-sweat sessions, offering chafe-free support and moisture-wicking capabilities.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
For a long time, some council members have chafed at the mayor’s authority and sought or tried to force a different power-sharing equation.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
The vote is the result of constitutional amendments pushed last year by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who, like President Trump, often chafed at court rulings blocking his initiatives.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
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According to Valliere, people and pets should avoid coming in contact with several invasive plants in California, including: Certain grasses, which produce long awns and seeds that can irritate skin, get stuck in pets’ fur, and cause discomfort for both animals and humans.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 July 2025
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Things escalated further as fans began requesting photos and videos, reportedly irritating the R&B star.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The deceased woman was also wearing a black necklace with a cross that family said belonged to DiNapoli, according to court documents.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
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Another showed Hailey wearing just the abstract, yellow bikini and polka-dot headscarf with thin black glasses.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps Trump just wanted to annoy his counterparts, especially those on the continent.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
-
But Cotton, annoyed by Hank’s indirectness and emotion, browbeats his son.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
In a matter of minutes seven women were united in indignation.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Strong as a Board Courtesy of Dyneema Thanks to that outer layer of Dyneema, the new Woven Composite has 10 times the abrasion resistance and five times the tear resistance of the older fabric.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
16 July 2025
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Additionally, Ozcan noted how graphene provides high abrasion resistance and thermal regulation.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Cruz has barely scratched the surface of his potential.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Take, for example, Soiree Miami Beach, a luxurious swimwear brand made with sparkly materials that don’t scratch, or Wanahat, a stylish hat brand founded by three Ecuadorian childhood friends.—
Rana Good,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Now, this fundamental principle is at risk of being eroded.—
Philippa Pham Hughes,
Time,
11 July 2025
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Deals like these, which require OpenAI to sell stakes in the company, erode the nonprofit’s control of the business.—
Orson Aguilar,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.—
Richard Godwin,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
Chisholm, the Yankees’ hottest hitter over the last month or so, has said that the shoulder bothers him more in the field than at the plate.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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