1
as in battle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fray
Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 June 2025
The piece featured another asymmetric detail that was layered on top of a gauzy cotton organza with a crew neckline, frayed hem detailing and concealed side zipper closure.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
After promising an end to entanglements that have bedeviled Trump’s predecessors, Trump now seems on the cusp of joining the fray in a region where 40,000 Americans are deployed and there are scant off-ramps.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Verb
In the meantime, the Biden-era alignment between Washington and Kyiv has frayed, as Trump and his administration have openly criticized Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 June 2025
The piece featured another asymmetric detail that was layered on top of a gauzy cotton organza with a crew neckline, frayed hem detailing and concealed side zipper closure.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
-
After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
-
That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
-
The Fever emerged with an 88-71 win after a game that featured a pair of skirmishes, including a fight in the final minute that led to three ejections.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Most of the brawls took place between large groups of teenagers, according to Conley.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2025
-
Anakin and Obi-Wan's lightsaber brawl is an all-timer just for sheer brutality. 34.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Chatterjee notes that this is a brand with strong retention but declining acquisition potential due to eroding external perception.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Many of his directives this term have closely mirrored Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda that explicitly prioritizes eroding LGBTQ rights.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Even the quiet, eyebrow-raising final moments, which suggest that the struggle for economic justice and equality might be utterly pointless, feel less like a philosophy and more like a real-life capitalist desire for more, more, more.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda's struggles continue as he gets eliminated once again during Q1 at the Austrian Grand Prix.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
In many ways, the game might offer a blueprint for the quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his team’s Club World Cup round-of-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte, Maresca voiced a similar sentiment.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress for the occasion.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Also exempt are personal items, like pins or shirts worn by students and electronic displays within the school.—
Emma Epperly,
Idaho Statesman,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Amid the physical fights during each game, the broader battle between Gi-hun and the Front Man has always been existential: Are people worth saving?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 June 2025
-
Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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