abra·sive
ə-ˈbrā-siv 
-ziv
1
: causing damage, wear, or removal of surface material by grinding or rubbing : tending to abrade
abrasive compounds for whitening teeth
an abrasive surface
2
: causing irritation
abrasive manners
an abrasive personality
abrasively
adverb
abrasiveness
noun
: a substance (such as emery or pumice) used for abrading, smoothing, or polishing
used an abrasive for polishing the rough stones
Synonyms
Adjective
Examples of abrasive in a Sentence
Adjective
The waves had an abrasive action on the rocks.
an abrasive display of rude behavior
Recent Examples on the Web
Kirsten Nunez, SELF, 29 Mar. 2024
Develop Your Soft Skills The CTO needs to ruthlessly focus on product development with the right team and explain to non-technical founders how the product ties to the business model—without being abrasive or impatient.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The bezels are raised to around 1mm to ensure protection against abrasive surfaces, and there’s also an aluminum camera bump around the rear lens.
—Dua Rashid and Jorge Jimenez / Gizmodo, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2024
The material is too abrasive and can strip away tooth enamel, eventually turning teeth yellow.
—Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024
The green chiles, fresh cilantro and garlic break down easier against its abrasive surface.
—Naz Deravian, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024
As the years have passed, the surface has become increasingly abrasive, providing a challenge in tire wear, while the wind is also a frequent trial.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
Pedro is a singularly fascinating central character, played by A Cop Movie lead Briones as a jokester, a hopeless romantic and an abrasive jerk, constantly picking fights.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024
But this time the undefeated (49-0) Mayweather is leaving retirement to take on the (arguably) equally abrasive UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor.
—Chloe Herring, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
The Consumer segment provides consumer bandages, braces, supports, and consumer respirators; cleaning products for the home; retail abrasives, paint accessories, car care D.I.Y. products, picture hanging, and consumer air quality solutions; and stationery products.
—Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Adding an abrasive can also help, but be careful not to scratch the glass.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
The safety and Industrial segment comprises abrasives, automotive aftermarkets, closure and masking systems, communication markets, electrical markets, industrial adhesives and tapes, personal safety, roofing granules, and others.
—Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Toothpastes also contain abrasives and detergents, says Dr. Kutlay.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2023
In addition to being a gentle abrasive, baking soda has brightening properties and is a natural deodorizer, helping to eliminate odors from onions, garlic, and other food stains.
—Samantha Hunter, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2023
The idea of applying anything abrasive on your teeth might sound scary, but certain abrasives are actually beneficial for your teeth.
—Lacey Muinos, Health, 11 Dec. 2023
Using whitening toothpaste with abrasives may also cause teeth roughness and hardness issues in just one week of use.6
Brushing too hard or using a very hard bristle toothbrush can exacerbate potential enamel damage, too.
—Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 3 Dec. 2023
Adjective
HydraFacials are often considered a gentler alternative to microdermabrasion, which uses a more abrasive approach to even things out.
—Kirsten Nunez, SELF, 29 Mar. 2024
Develop Your Soft Skills The CTO needs to ruthlessly focus on product development with the right team and explain to non-technical founders how the product ties to the business model—without being abrasive or impatient.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The bezels are raised to around 1mm to ensure protection against abrasive surfaces, and there’s also an aluminum camera bump around the rear lens.
—Dua Rashid and Jorge Jimenez / Gizmodo, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2024
The material is too abrasive and can strip away tooth enamel, eventually turning teeth yellow.
—Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024
The green chiles, fresh cilantro and garlic break down easier against its abrasive surface.
—Naz Deravian, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024
As the years have passed, the surface has become increasingly abrasive, providing a challenge in tire wear, while the wind is also a frequent trial.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
Pedro is a singularly fascinating central character, played by A Cop Movie lead Briones as a jokester, a hopeless romantic and an abrasive jerk, constantly picking fights.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024
But this time the undefeated (49-0) Mayweather is leaving retirement to take on the (arguably) equally abrasive UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor.
—Chloe Herring, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Noun
Baking soda and salt are alkaline but are sometimes recommended in combination with vinegar or lemon juice as a way to include a mild abrasive.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
The Consumer segment provides consumer bandages, braces, supports, and consumer respirators; cleaning products for the home; retail abrasives, paint accessories, car care D.I.Y. products, picture hanging, and consumer air quality solutions; and stationery products.
—Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Adding an abrasive can also help, but be careful not to scratch the glass.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
The safety and Industrial segment comprises abrasives, automotive aftermarkets, closure and masking systems, communication markets, electrical markets, industrial adhesives and tapes, personal safety, roofing granules, and others.
—Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Toothpastes also contain abrasives and detergents, says Dr. Kutlay.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2023
In addition to being a gentle abrasive, baking soda has brightening properties and is a natural deodorizer, helping to eliminate odors from onions, garlic, and other food stains.
—Samantha Hunter, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2023
The idea of applying anything abrasive on your teeth might sound scary, but certain abrasives are actually beneficial for your teeth.
—Lacey Muinos, Health, 11 Dec. 2023
Using whitening toothpaste with abrasives may also cause teeth roughness and hardness issues in just one week of use.6
Brushing too hard or using a very hard bristle toothbrush can exacerbate potential enamel damage, too.
—Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 3 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abrasive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near abrasive
Cite this Entry
“Abrasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abrasive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abrasive
1 of 2 adjective
abra·sive
ə-ˈbrā-siv
-ziv
: having the effect of abrading
abrasively
adverb
abrasiveness
noun
abrasive
2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as sand) used for grinding, smoothing, or polishing
Medical Definition
abrasive
1 of 2 adjective
abra·sive
ə-ˈbrā-siv
-ziv
-ziv
: tending to abrade
an abrasive substance
abrasiveness
noun
abrasive
2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as emery or pumice) used for abrading, smoothing, or polishing
called also abradant
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