1
2
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant stepping on a rope will gradually chafe it, rendering it unsafe for rock climbing
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
nothing chafes us so much as those telemarketers who call during the dinner hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in indignation
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in abrasion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of chafe
Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
On This may look like a low impact-worthy set, but the fabric is advanced enough for high-sweat sessions, offering chafe-free support and moisture-wicking capabilities.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Trond Arne Undheim, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
But vendors have chafed at past-due bills and new, slower payment terms.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
And this chafes against Bitcoin’s underlying ethos of decentralization.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
On This may look like a low impact-worthy set, but the fabric is advanced enough for high-sweat sessions, offering chafe-free support and moisture-wicking capabilities.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
For those who chafe at the constraints of traditional higher education, modern manufacturing offers a faster path to hands-on, tech-forward leadership.
—Trond Arne Undheim, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
But vendors have chafed at past-due bills and new, slower payment terms.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Larger particulates in the air can irritate our eyes, nose, and throat, causing a persistent cough and difficulty breathing.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
These side effects can range from mild to severe, and may include: Increased digestive symptoms: Alcohol can irritate your stomach and slow down how fast your stomach empties.—
Health,
Health,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Boot Barn is the largest western and work wear retailer in the nation, according to Boot Barn Marketing Specialist Tanna Doyel.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Banks was described as wearing a black knit hat, black sweatshirt, black pants, and a face mask.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Frustrated by delays in federal and state deterrence projects, and annoyed by their own encounters with the flying fish, residents of a small town in western Illinois saw both a challenge and an opportunity in the large numbers of silver carp that infested their stretch of the Illinois River.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
-
That wasn’t an attempt to minimize Friday’s miscues or shrug past all the disorder that had Johnson annoyed.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Well, St James’ Park threatens to be another level entirely for Liverpool’s visit: a Bank Holiday Monday, under the floodlights, with Newcastle and their fans seething with indignation about Alexander Isak’s behaviour and Liverpool’s pursuit of him.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Chase resigned in indignation and took refuge at the League.—
Anne Halsey,
JSTOR Daily,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Washing inside out also helps prevent color loss from abrasion, which can leave dark colors looking faded.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Williams and other family members decided to use the hotel's indoor swimming pool, and Williams suffered a mild abrasion on her knee getting out of the pool.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Staring at his Zoom camera, Welles scratches his head and remains silent for 20 seconds.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
21 Aug. 2025
-
According to team officials, Hayes was scratched for rest reasons while Zandalasini was ruled out with tightness in her left calf.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This means premiums can quickly erode, value can swing wildly, and small movements can result in substantial gains or losses.—
Michael Martin,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Canada Goose has flagged that higher U.S. tariffs could raise raw material and compliance costs, potentially leading to price hikes that risk eroding the company's competitiveness in some markets.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Florio questioned Saban being bothered by the hysteria surrounding his potential return to the sidelines.—
Andrew Hughes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Both schools use the name freely, and neither seems bothered by the other.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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