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
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Recent Examples of chafe
Andrew Solender, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Americans, meanwhile, may chafe under China’s online censorship.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024
The test of their model will be its ability to restrain a growing capitalist class that often chafes against the overweening power of the state bureaucracy.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
The pressure campaign has created some internal friction as some House Democrats chafe under the tamer, more focused approach led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.).
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Americans, meanwhile, may chafe under China’s online censorship.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
But for much of the show, Abigail serves as the primary narrator, and her delivery chafes.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024
The test of their model will be its ability to restrain a growing capitalist class that often chafes against the overweening power of the state bureaucracy.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
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Ramirez-Rosa has been a magnet for it, in ways that could further irritate the city’s already-tender Black-Latino relations.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Products with fragrances can also irritate the skin.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the photo obtained by the outlet, Sia — known for obscuring her face on stage and at public events with oversized wigs — wore her long blonde hair in beaded braids, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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For the show Campbell wore a form-fitting leather jacket with a matching bodysuit.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Instead of getting annoyed, try again a few minutes later and remember, never vent your frustration to your cats.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Since then, Lorenzo had been aggressive in pushing the Pinos to seek better medical expertise to get to the bottom of Tatiana’s health problems — an effort that reportedly annoyed Sergio.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Vance’s speech spurred the Europeans to unite in their indignation.—
Simon Shuster/Berlin,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
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If Jude’s previous two fiction films were Molotov cocktails of indignation, his latest secretes a kind of scentless poison that gets at the banality with which social injustices are processed and rationalized.—
Beatrice Loayza,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The breathable, durable material that will keep you cool and hold up to abrasion.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2025
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The homeless man suffered abrasions, lacerations, contusions and bleeding to his head and face and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the Queens District Attorney’s Office said.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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An investigation revealed the suspect pulled the victim’s hair and scratched the victim’s face two days prior.—
Anne Gelhaus,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Summiting Mount Everest is on so many avid travelers’ must-do lists; join the fray and scratch that itch this month.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Spinrad said the cuts, especially of researchers who collect data that feeds into storm models, could erode the quality of hurricane forecasts going forward.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
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Despite creating jobs and potential environmental benefits, chronic mismanagement and escalating costs have eroded public trust, making continued taxpayer support irresponsible.—
Phillip Molnar,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.—
Paul Sisson,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
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As Caro settled into life in a new country, one thing often bothered him.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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