as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in eroded
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frayed
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
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Investigators later recovered additional skeletal remains along with Levi’s jeans, a frayed leather coat, a leather belt with beadwork, two metal rings and a clog-style shoe.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
That’s why new parents should set some grandparenting ground rules as soon as possible to avoid nasty arguments and frayed relationships down the road, according to bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
New member Kiirii also admits to frayed nerves while mentally preparing for the shoot.
—Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
The roots frayed with nowhere to go.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
His trousers were too long, and the hems were frayed.
—Lisa K. Friedman, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
The international treaties and regimes that govern nuclear issues, particularly the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), are badly frayed.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
American health-care systems already frayed by a brutal pandemic are being dismantled further, and Americans’ antipathy for one another is having deadly effects on children and families.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
So going back and exploring how Ben and Raife’s partnership frayed also became a foundation for season one of Dark Wolf.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
And over the years being taken for granted, that relationship frayed.
—ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Investigators later recovered additional skeletal remains along with Levi’s jeans, a frayed leather coat, a leather belt with beadwork, two metal rings and a clog-style shoe.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
That’s why new parents should set some grandparenting ground rules as soon as possible to avoid nasty arguments and frayed relationships down the road, according to bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
New member Kiirii also admits to frayed nerves while mentally preparing for the shoot.
—Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Many preventative care services are covered, at least partially, by insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but experts say that net of protection has frayed over the years.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
The roots frayed with nowhere to go.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
His trousers were too long, and the hems were frayed.
—Lisa K. Friedman, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
The international treaties and regimes that govern nuclear issues, particularly the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), are badly frayed.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
American health-care systems already frayed by a brutal pandemic are being dismantled further, and Americans’ antipathy for one another is having deadly effects on children and families.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
So going back and exploring how Ben and Raife’s partnership frayed also became a foundation for season one of Dark Wolf.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
And over the years being taken for granted, that relationship frayed.
—ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
Adjective
-
The archangel of trendy-casual walkaroundfits (new word, please spread around) just stepped out in hip-hugging bootcut jeans, a loose and intentionally tattered white T-shirt, a gold pendant necklace, and dark sunglasses, an easy all-American look for a morning on the go.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This has eroded the cash flow and equity farmers need to withstand changes in the market.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and soaring food prices have eroded political and consumer appetite for sustainability.—
Bloomberg News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Blades with ragged edges can be a sign of insects chewing on the blades, and tunneling below the surface or turf that can be lifted like a rug can indicate larvae are feeding on the root system.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The architecture matches the vibe; there's bloodlust in the air and even among the ragged fans who camp along the road outside.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ashley Graham Ashley Graham wore a black two-piece, paired with black open-toed heels and black angel wings while appearing on the catwalk.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Lee wore a red polo shirt and an old-school New York Giants cap (repping the baseball team, not the football team).—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The faded colors and distressed pattern give the rug an always-been-here feel and lend a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to the space.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
-
But as cars streamed into the park’s entrance off the Rickenbacker Causeway, many visitors were met by protesters urging them not to spend another dime at the faded South Florida tourist attraction.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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