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
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Add a moisture-wicking, chafe-preventing stick or powder to your routine, like Mega Babe’s Thigh Rescue or old faithful, Gold Bond Body Powder, to sop up excess wetness before discomfort occurs.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Other consequences include debilitating pain, sagging tissue and chafed skin.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
On This may look like a low impact-worthy set, but the fabric is advanced enough for high-sweat sessions, offering chafe-free support and moisture-wicking capabilities.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Add a moisture-wicking, chafe-preventing stick or powder to your routine, like Mega Babe’s Thigh Rescue or old faithful, Gold Bond Body Powder, to sop up excess wetness before discomfort occurs.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
The nation’s founders, having chafed under the abuses of George III, understood the twin dangers of an unchecked chief executive and a standing military.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Other consequences include debilitating pain, sagging tissue and chafed skin.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Jake Paul’s everyday unscented face wash avoids irritating fragrances but is infused with vitamin B3 to help keep your skin hydrated.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
-
Work exposures: If you are frequently exposed to irritating chemicals or substances, your risk of dermatitis is higher.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
29 June 2025
Verb
-
The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress for the occasion.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
She’s known for crafting the clothes worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Francie instantly annoys Nat by kissing Pete hello, and the two women start yelling at each other immediately.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
27 June 2025
-
If visible bulbs and cables annoy you, these aren’t for you.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Daley huffed and puffed with red-faced indignation, even threatening a lawsuit over the intent of an NFL team to whisk Chicago’s proud name off to the northwest suburbs and stomp into suburban soil.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
The Austrian government responded with indignation, claiming that the Americans had given them no notice.—
Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
In fact, the abrasion from repeatedly opening and closing the caps on glass and plastic bottles can release an untold amount of micro- and nanoplastics into the beverage, said Lisa Zimmermann, lead author of the study published Tuesday in the journal NPJ Science of Food.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
24 June 2025
-
Agudelo was transferred to Elmhurst Hospital where she was treated for numerous skull fractures, a puncture wound to her temple and multiple abrasions, according to Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Be careful when using this method as wire hangers can sometimes scratch the porcelain.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
-
Independence Day While the rest of the films on this list surely make sense, some might be scratching their heads on why a sci-fi film is considered to be one of the greatest Fourth of July films ever made.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Chatterjee notes that this is a brand with strong retention but declining acquisition potential due to eroding external perception.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Many of his directives this term have closely mirrored Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda that explicitly prioritizes eroding LGBTQ rights.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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