1
as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
ropes abraded by the rocks were a huge danger to the climbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
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Recent Examples of abrade
The cinematography, by Christopher Messina, feels as abraded as Linda’s psyche.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
If used, stakes should not abrade or constrict the trunk and should be fully removed after six to twelve months.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
After the fall of Hosni Mubarak, ordinary Egyptians brought paint cans from home to Tahrir Square, to re-mark the curbs that had been flaked from years of government neglect, and abraded by tanks and flying bricks during the protests.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Toshiba and Hitachi have designed robots that use jets of high-pressure water and dry ice to abrade the surfaces of walls and floors; the robots will scour away radioactive materials along with top layers of paint or concrete and vacuum up the resulting sludge.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2014
See All Example Sentences for abrade
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
If used, stakes should not abrade or constrict the trunk and should be fully removed after six to twelve months.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
After the fall of Hosni Mubarak, ordinary Egyptians brought paint cans from home to Tahrir Square, to re-mark the curbs that had been flaked from years of government neglect, and abraded by tanks and flying bricks during the protests.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Toshiba and Hitachi have designed robots that use jets of high-pressure water and dry ice to abrade the surfaces of walls and floors; the robots will scour away radioactive materials along with top layers of paint or concrete and vacuum up the resulting sludge.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2014
See All Example Sentences for abrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrade
Verb
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For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Generally, mineral sunscreens are beloved by dermatologists for not irritating sensitive skin, the way chemical sunscreens can.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Too many or poorly timed nudges irritate users.—
Prithvi Singh Shergill,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The product scrapes the insect, removing oils and fats from the outside of the insect's body.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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To add details, etch swooping lines around the holes by scraping away the pumpkin's outer skin to create contrast.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The photo released shows what appears to be a man wearing a largely black outfit with an American flag on his shirt, a black cap, and black sunglasses.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That 133-page City audit barely scratched the surface of the overall dysfunction at the City’s animal shelter.—
Michael Wagner,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
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But these figures only scratch the surface of Nepal’s deep economic problems, which include pervasive vulnerable employment – informal and insecure work that is prone to poor conditions and pay – and limited opportunities that constrain long-term productivity.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Downside Of course, too much Airport Dad Mode can fray nerves.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
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The accords’ real aim was security, recognition, and further integration, and this is what is fraying.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrade. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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