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
Highlights include black and light and dark wash indigo Rider jackets with orange peel effects, a rare version of the Rider jacket with frayed cuffs and only two chest pockets and Storm Rider that’s over 40 years old and is in perfect condition.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Nov. 2025
The midi-length dress featured a slit on one side and a tattered, frayed detailing at the hem, which gave the dress a vintage and romantic appeal.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
Despite a still-robust economy, on paper anyway, lackluster hiring is adding to Americans’ frayed nerves, as is the erosion of federal safety-net benefits.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
The ropes under my hands, touched lightly, lightly, felt somewhat frayed and old, and the ironwood slats under my feet seemed occasional.
—Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
These from Jenni Kayne carry the designer’s signature Californian nonchalance with a frayed edge.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
At last Chiefs-Jags won by a single vote as the panel repaired to the Quill & Swill Pub to mend frayed feelings with old friend Jim Beam.
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
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.
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Nov. 2025
The midi-length dress featured a slit on one side and a tattered, frayed detailing at the hem, which gave the dress a vintage and romantic appeal.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
Despite a still-robust economy, on paper anyway, lackluster hiring is adding to Americans’ frayed nerves, as is the erosion of federal safety-net benefits.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
The ropes under my hands, touched lightly, lightly, felt somewhat frayed and old, and the ironwood slats under my feet seemed occasional.
—Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
These from Jenni Kayne carry the designer’s signature Californian nonchalance with a frayed edge.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
At last Chiefs-Jags won by a single vote as the panel repaired to the Quill & Swill Pub to mend frayed feelings with old friend Jim Beam.
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frayed. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share