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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of fray
Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Once Johnson rolled out the text, Trump, Vance and their close allies joined the fray.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
But lately, relationships with some local leaders have frayed.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fray 
Noun
Amazon joined the fray on December 4 with its Nova family of multi-modal models, priced to compete with Google's Gemini 1.5 series.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
Once Johnson rolled out the text, Trump, Vance and their close allies joined the fray.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
If the blade seems frayed, sharpen it with the diamond wheels.
—New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
But lately, relationships with some local leaders have frayed.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
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Osbourne didn't share much about her treatment, but this update comes on the heels of her recent battle with a high fever over the holidays.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
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The Nevada National Guard is also readying two more of those systems, which quickly discharge a retardant to battle fires.—
Brad Dress,
The Hill,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The ugly scene on a suburban street was a harbinger of skirmishes to come.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
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Houston teammates then ran in to defend their teammate, as well, leading to a skirmish that spilled out of bounds while Lawrence remained on the turf, still on his back, as medical personnel tended to him.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
1 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Trump's comments inspired some Jan. 6 defendants to ask judges for delays in court action, spurred some to lobby for reprieves, demoralized some police officers injured in the attack and threatened a political brawl over the potential for turning loose people convicted of seditious conspiracy.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Guida’s epic brawl with Diego Sanchez on the Ultimate Fighter Season 9 Finale was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Over time, acids can erode tooth enamel permanently.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
10 Jan. 2025
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For example, changes to underlying data can erode their effectiveness, like when hospitals switch lab providers.—
Darius Tahir | KFF Health News,
ABC News,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Interviewed two days later at the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, Edwards still bore the marks of the struggle.—
Will Carless,
USA TODAY,
12 Jan. 2025
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The average cost for a child’s diapers is about $1,200 a year, and half the families in the U.S. struggle to afford them, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.—
Michael Cuglietta,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Venus and Jupiter’s clash facilitates temporary compromises.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
-
Israel’s populist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely avoided public clashes with the Israel Defense Force’s leadership, but politicians in his orbit have regularly attacked top officers as elites bent on subverting the will of the people.—
Ronald R. Krebs,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Sara arrived home just before 9 p.m., and Lyons was allegedly waiting outside wearing a motorcycle helmet, according to the woman who gave Sara a ride home, Mahomet police show.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2025
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Lastly, Jason Kelce was featured in People Magazine wearing a yellow-gold Rolex Submariner.—
Sophie Furley,
Robb Report,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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At the time, Carter's administration was asking Congress to approve some $5 million in military aid to assist in the fight against leftist guerrillas, despite several reports of right-wing death squads carrying out extrajudicial killings against union organizers, teachers and priests.—
Jasmine Romero,
NPR,
10 Jan. 2025
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A number of employees also left Automattic last year after the company offered to buy out staff who didn’t agree with its fight against WP Engine.—
Emma Roth,
The Verge,
10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near fray
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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