: a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute
Fighting there could easily draw neighboring nations into the fray.—
Blaine Harden
Blaine Harden… the patrician statesman who stood above the fray.—Richard D. Hylton
Richard D. Hylton
frayed; fraying; frays
1
a
: to wear (something, such as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret
b
: to separate the threads at the edge of
: a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)
Synonyms
Examples of fray in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebHira Humayun, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The 1984 race piqued his interest, because another Republican senator from Wyoming, Alan K. Simpson, was part of the maneuvering — and because so many top Republicans jumped into the fray.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The Fifth Harmony alum steps out and dances while blindfolded before welcoming Playboi Carti into the fray.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024
Even Prince William was dragged into the fray, as fans resurfaced rumors of an affair between William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
But Modesto found a way to crash the boards, and after being knocked around in the fray, the ball bounced into Gavin Sykes’ hands.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024
Also entering the fray were Andreas Pereira of Fulham, André of Fluminense and Yan Couto of Girona.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Asian manufacturers had entered the fray, offering cheaper products to American consumers.
—Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
And while Justice Ginsburg's concept of EQUALITY for women was very controversial for most of her life, the Foundation does not intend to enter the fray.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024
Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Sewn rim tape material at the top of the envelope was frayed and several panels were damaged.
—Sasha Hupka, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Keller was fine with staying home, but isolation further frayed Fox’s nerves.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
The show, which moves backward in time over the course of 20 years to chart the way three friends’ bonds are forged and frayed, was panned by critics.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
Under Calhoun, labor relations at Boeing have been badly frayed.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
Also worth noting, the towels have a double-stitched hem, which gives them a nice appearance, strengthens the fabric, and prevents fraying over time.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
The strain has long been fraying the system’s foundation.
—Frances Robles, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024
Vacuuming The Insider Doormat can cause fiber damage or fraying if your rotating brush settings are not on high.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
Noun
Hospitals have been vandalized, and warehouses and containers storing food and essential supplies across the city have been broken into in recent weeks as the social fabric frays.
—Hira Humayun, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The 1984 race piqued his interest, because another Republican senator from Wyoming, Alan K. Simpson, was part of the maneuvering — and because so many top Republicans jumped into the fray.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The Fifth Harmony alum steps out and dances while blindfolded before welcoming Playboi Carti into the fray.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024
Even Prince William was dragged into the fray, as fans resurfaced rumors of an affair between William and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
But Modesto found a way to crash the boards, and after being knocked around in the fray, the ball bounced into Gavin Sykes’ hands.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024
Also entering the fray were Andreas Pereira of Fulham, André of Fluminense and Yan Couto of Girona.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Asian manufacturers had entered the fray, offering cheaper products to American consumers.
—Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
And while Justice Ginsburg's concept of EQUALITY for women was very controversial for most of her life, the Foundation does not intend to enter the fray.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024
Verb
Sewn rim tape material at the top of the envelope was frayed and several of its panels were damaged.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Sewn rim tape material at the top of the envelope was frayed and several panels were damaged.
—Sasha Hupka, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Keller was fine with staying home, but isolation further frayed Fox’s nerves.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
The show, which moves backward in time over the course of 20 years to chart the way three friends’ bonds are forged and frayed, was panned by critics.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
Under Calhoun, labor relations at Boeing have been badly frayed.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
Also worth noting, the towels have a double-stitched hem, which gives them a nice appearance, strengthens the fabric, and prevents fraying over time.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
The strain has long been fraying the system’s foundation.
—Frances Robles, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024
Vacuuming The Insider Doormat can cause fiber damage or fraying if your rotating brush settings are not on high.
—Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fray.' 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 fray
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fray. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fray
1 of 2 noun
: an usually disorderly or long fight, struggle, or dispute
fray
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing
b
: to separate the threads at the edge of
cutoff jeans with frayed edges
2
: to show or cause to show signs of strain
nerves were beginning to fray
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share