1
as in battle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention
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as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fray
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 22 June 2025
The blend of physical locations with sets and digital imagery is seamless and the CG work on the creatures is first-rate, notably so in the scary climactic stretch when the lumbering D. Rex joins the fray.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The friendships begin to fray when a woman named Camille shows up, claiming Bruce had invited her.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
The Fed in the fray Trump’s efforts to push the Fed into managing the debt mark a significant break from more than 70 years of federal economic policy.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 22 June 2025
The blend of physical locations with sets and digital imagery is seamless and the CG work on the creatures is first-rate, notably so in the scary climactic stretch when the lumbering D. Rex joins the fray.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Verb
In response to fraying ties with Washington, Brasília has sought closer relations with Beijing, a move that could hurt Lula’s popularity further: 75% of Brazilians distrust China, a recent poll showed.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The friendships begin to fray when a woman named Camille shows up, claiming Bruce had invited her.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
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Advertisement The Netanyahu government's prolonging of the war Netanyahu continues to battle with approval ratings amid an ongoing corruption trial back home.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
7 July 2025
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Dorsey notably supported Kendrick Lamar during the high-profile rap battle between Kendrick and Drake last year, prompting fans to speculate that his apparent stance may have been influenced by Rooks’ connection to the Canadian rapper.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Yet Villa were short of cash and the lack of financial headroom brought skirmishes with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
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Could a Stronger Federal System Have Prevented the Texas Disaster and is this even the question to ask? America’s approach to disaster relief has long been one of the recurring skirmishes in the larger political theatre of governance.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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If a person tears off someone’s ear or nose in a bar brawl, jail time is almost certain.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
-
There's much to consider about this hypothetical brawl.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 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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Geopolitical tensions have made growth in China—its third largest market and 13% of total revenue—difficult and rival chipmakers are keen to erode its lead.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Javier Hernandez, executive director of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, told The Associated Press that agents eventually arrested the Honduran man following the struggle inside the clinic that was captured on video.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
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Franklin might be the most recent honoree (beating out Curt Cignetti), but the Penn State coach’s struggles with self-editing are not specific to his dealings with Notre Dame.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
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President Donald Trump broke his silence one day after reports of a clash between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about the release of a memo regarding Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted conservatives on social media to call for the president to fire her.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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Steve Garcia When the betting odds were first published for the Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia featherweight clash, Garcia was listed as a -140 betting favorite over the +115 Kattar.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 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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The bride wore a guipure high-neck lace gown embellished with crystals and complete with a nine-foot-long train.—
Sarah Title,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Here, there was a much tighter focus on the individual pieces of research that had become casualties in that larger fight.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 July 2025
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Pledging weapons for Ukraine's fight appears to be the latest stage in this pivot.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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