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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in abrasion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of chafe
Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Others chafed at pre-empting local rules.
—Mark Dee
march 28, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Some have also chafed at the increasing symbiosis between the paper and WBFF.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Others chafed at pre-empting local rules.
—Mark Dee
march 28, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
Zwick is such a conventional filmmaker that DiCaprio chafes trying to break out of the Reluctant Hero straitjacket Zwick puts him in.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Joining Stuart’s quest are his girlfriend, Denise (Lapkus); geologist buddy Bert (Posehn); and irritating quantum physicist Barry Kripke (Bowie).—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Be Gentle, Be Kind Detangling Spray is no different and is free from fragrance and essential oils, two common ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two men carried an effigy of Maduro, his eyes blood-red, and his teeth vampiric, wearing a prison jumpsuit with a chain around his neck.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
-
For accessories, Hathaway wore a set of pink gold Bulgari jewels, including a sparkly wrap bracelet, dangling earrings, and a red cocktail ring, according to InStyle.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Teams routinely get annoyed with media that spends time on this sort of thing, but there is no better sales tactic than drama.—
Mac Engel
April 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But now Lamar is doing press annoyed with me.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both are completely honest without fear of escalation or indignation.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Surely there was something more beneath all this mild pleasantness, some edge of resentment, a few shards of indignation on the brink of cutting through.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her injuries included possible lower and upper extremity fractures, along with abrasions and contusions to the head, squad officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The report goes on to say Joncky grabbed the back of the girl's head and slammed it into the floor, causing a large abrasion to her forehead.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Twice in the last three years, and also in 2011, Repole brought a promising horse to the Derby and had to scratch him before post time.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike nylon brushes, silicone ones carry no risk of scratching or removing paint from your bottle.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
European carmakers are losing their premium brand status in China, as younger consumers opt for cars from domestic brands, further eroding Western firms’ prospects in a cutthroat global market.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In a market as mobile as high-end real estate, even modest shifts can erode the tax base.—
Martha E. Stark,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Fuqua and Logan can’t be bothered to figure it out.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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