Definition of frayed
1
: worn or shredded at the ends or edges
- frayed jeans
- A long line of scared-looking first years entered, led by Professor McGonagall, who was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard's hat, heavily patched and darned with a wide rip near the frayed brim.
- —J. K. Rowling
2
: damaged, weakened, or worn down by strain or irritation
- frayed nerves/tempers
- He vanished underground for a time, and when he reappeared he had retired from pimping. But he was still dealing drugs, and in his frayed state he was losing his half-step edge on the law.
- —Peter Goldman
- The draconian measures drew widespread condemnation in Europe and further strained the already frayed relations between Pretoria and Washington …
- —Mark Whitaker
