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
Although Jerry Garcia cast the longest shadow across the legend of the Dead with his dark, complexly melodic songs and his hazy, frayed vocals, Weir’s shadow was more translucent, melodically lighter and rhythmically astute.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Old wiring, loose sockets, and frayed cords can be a safety hazard.
—Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
With Kuminga’s Warriors role disappearing this season, and his frayed relationship with coach Steve Kerr an open secret, this is (potentially) the price Golden State will pay for that crucial loss in leverage with other teams.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Sources at the time of the cancellation told Deadline that Jackson and Big Meech’s frayed relationship was not the reason BMF ended.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
In its destruction, the Chiefs will have to repair a frayed relationship with those who considered the stadium’s location in Missouri part of their identity.
—Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
The water was the color of steeped tea; cypress knees were draped with moss like frayed velvet; gators slipped silently beneath us.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
Rising ambitions, frayed relationships, and bruised egos fuel a decade-long all-out war between the Swiss art dealer and the elusive Russian oligarch.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025
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A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Old wiring, loose sockets, and frayed cords can be a safety hazard.
—Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
With Kuminga’s Warriors role disappearing this season, and his frayed relationship with coach Steve Kerr an open secret, this is (potentially) the price Golden State will pay for that crucial loss in leverage with other teams.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Sources at the time of the cancellation told Deadline that Jackson and Big Meech’s frayed relationship was not the reason BMF ended.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
In its destruction, the Chiefs will have to repair a frayed relationship with those who considered the stadium’s location in Missouri part of their identity.
—Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
The water was the color of steeped tea; cypress knees were draped with moss like frayed velvet; gators slipped silently beneath us.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
Rising ambitions, frayed relationships, and bruised egos fuel a decade-long all-out war between the Swiss art dealer and the elusive Russian oligarch.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frayed. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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