GRATE Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

grate

verb

Definition of grate

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to scratch

to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sled grated along the bare pavement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grit

to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound he grated the pieces of metal together

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of grate How to Grate Zucchini Once grated, the one large zucchini for this recipe should come out to about 1 ¾ cups of shreds. — Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026 And this episode feels like the power dynamics are really pushing and grating against each other within Ormund and Daeron’s relationship. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 July 2026 This rechargeable version comes with three different-sized blades for grating a variety of hard cheese. — Mark Marino, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 Use a Microplane or garlic press to grate the garlic over the tomatoes. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grate

Verb

At the Glenn-Mills trial in Los Angeles, Meta attorneys repeatedly hammered witnesses about the lack of a listing — at times appearing to annoy jurors and test the patience of the court.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
During his last visit to Tehran in 2012, Aryan Diba enjoyed the sweeping hospitality of the city, but was annoyed when he and a group of friends were disrupted by local authorities while talking to a group of women at a local fast food joint.

— Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoy

Verb

After the bullpen had to cover all nine innings Saturday when Griffin Jax was scratched from a scheduled start due to elbow discomfort, Seymour worked six solid innings, allowing a first-inning run and nothing else.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Many scratched their heads when the Codex Micro was announced.

— Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of scratch

Verb

The one issue that is bothering me at or just before launch is the CPU's Wear and Tear management.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As if the constant barrage of political ads wasn't enough, some WCCO viewers are particularly bothered by the language candidates are using.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Bourdain was doing all of the grunt work at the Flagship, scrubbing pots and pans, scraping plates, peeling potatoes, and cleaning shrimp.

— Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
After two lawsuits were filed against the state over the cut to the program, lawmakers scraped together funding to bring it back this legislative session.

— Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrape

Verb

Lemon water can irritate teeth or stomach in large amounts and may need to be limited in people with advanced kidney disease who have fluid or potassium restrictions.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Few things at airports irritate customers like filthy toilets or water on the restroom floor.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritate

Verb

Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.

— Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance.

— Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bug

Browse Nearby Words

grass (on)

grate

G-rated

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“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grate. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of grate

verb

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