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
J. K. Rowling2
: 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
Peter GoldmanThe draconian measures drew widespread condemnation in Europe and further strained the already frayed relations between Pretoria and Washington …—Mark Whitaker
Mark WhitakerExamples of frayed in a Sentence
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Recent Examples on the Web
Look for appliances with frayed or cracked cords and get rid of them.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Clemente suggests looking out for frayed or damaged cords, cracked plugs, unusual warmth, buzzing noises, burning smells, or discoloration around outlets.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
When my grandchildren were around recently, Marie was gritting her teeth because her nerves were so frayed.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Her pussybow button-down featured an optical illusion in the form of a double collar, as well as a frayed black ribbon at the neckline.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 June 2026
The backstory The 1 Hotel has taken over what was formerly the Hotel Vitale, which always had fabulous bones (lots of windows, spacious guest rooms) but had been feeling a little frayed for the last few years of its existence.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
From then on, relationships became frayed and strained.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Lear would provide comment through this portrait of a neurotic, frayed woman and the people who surround her.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Faulty connections, frayed wires, and incompatible electrical voltage can lead to breakage and even fires.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 May 2026
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Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Clemente suggests looking out for frayed or damaged cords, cracked plugs, unusual warmth, buzzing noises, burning smells, or discoloration around outlets.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
When my grandchildren were around recently, Marie was gritting her teeth because her nerves were so frayed.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Her pussybow button-down featured an optical illusion in the form of a double collar, as well as a frayed black ribbon at the neckline.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 June 2026
The backstory The 1 Hotel has taken over what was formerly the Hotel Vitale, which always had fabulous bones (lots of windows, spacious guest rooms) but had been feeling a little frayed for the last few years of its existence.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
From then on, relationships became frayed and strained.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Lear would provide comment through this portrait of a neurotic, frayed woman and the people who surround her.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Faulty connections, frayed wires, and incompatible electrical voltage can lead to breakage and even fires.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frayed. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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