1
2
as in to irritate
to make sore by continued rubbing my new running shoes abraded my heels until they blistered

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to scrape
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface the yacht's once-flawless wooden hull had been badly abraded by years of rough dockings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of abrade For example, stone washing, which uses pumice stones and water to physically abrade the indigo dyestuff from the fabric surface, can be replaced by enzyme washing in low-liquid ratio machines. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2024 In response to the downstream concerns about the prevention and control of lyocell fibrillation—the fiber separation in yarn that can occur when textiles are wet and abraded, which can cause pilling—Sateri provides three cross-linking solutions that are formaldehyde-free and easy to operate. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 27 Sep. 2024 It’s believed this phenomenon is thanks to the fast flow of the water that abrades the rocky coast, dislodging more minerals into the ocean. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 27 July 2024 Gently dab at the stain until it's gone, taking care not to scrub, as friction can abrade the material and damage the lampshade. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for abrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrade
Verb
  • These changes threaten to erode biodiversity and make survival even harder for freshwater and land turtle populations.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Apple might be able to strike a deal with the administration — despite the eroding relationship — or challenge the tariffs in court.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • There are pull-ups made with Velcro that can irritate your child’s skin, especially when misaligned.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
  • Sturdy posts at the front of the shoes connect to a flip-flop style design that won’t irritate or chafe your skin, while the supportive insoles are far better-suited for days spent on your feet than flimsy, cheaper sandals.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • To determine whether demodex mites are the cause of skin irritations, dermatologists can tape or lightly scrape the top layer of skin and place the sample under a microscope, Ricardo-Gonzalez said.
    Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
  • Even limited-exposure materials can be scraped, indexed and used for AI training.
    Henry Kurkowski, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • For their big milestone, the twins wore dark blue caps and gowns with matching white asymmetrical cocktail dresses underneath, posing for photos with their classmates, friends and family members while holding flowers and their diplomas.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Boul was literally with his current come up wearing MY jewelry.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • First-timers typically make a beeline for Madrid and Barcelona, but even then, most people will only scratch the surface of these cities and their surroundings.
    Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 28 May 2025
  • But the car industry has not scratched the surface of these vehicles' potential.
    Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • He’s healed physically, but his mental health is frayed.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • The partnership of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has been central to White House operations since the administration took office in January, but with Musk now stepping away from the limelight, there are signs that the personal bond between the two has frayed.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrade. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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