1
as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
ropes abraded by the rocks were a huge danger to the climbers
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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
Compared to its predecessors, Perseverance uses an advanced abrading bit and gaseous Dust Removal Tool, or gDRT, which applies five puffs of nitrogen to clear samples in a way that poses less risk of contamination.
—
Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 June 2025
It’s said to cause people to become irritable, aggravate health problems, and abrade mechanical devices.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The cinematography, by Christopher Messina, feels as abraded as Linda’s psyche.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
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
Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 June 2025
It’s said to cause people to become irritable, aggravate health problems, and abrade mechanical devices.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The cinematography, by Christopher Messina, feels as abraded as Linda’s psyche.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025
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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In particular, the city’s stormwater system is failing as pipes have eroded and caused sinkholes to pop up in some parts of the city.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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While cord-cutting continues to erode the national pay-TV base, local sports has managed to offset any losses in linear reach with a rapidly expanding streaming audience.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Molnar said the team wanted to design a system that avoided irritating brain tissue.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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But Chelsea won’t have it, shutting the whole thing down in a way that clearly irritates her.—
Anne Victoria Clark,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Interim chief executive Jean Claude Blanc, Sir Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox are all unsatisfied, especially after that Palace defeat and a chaotic FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City where United scraped past their Championship opponents on penalties.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
1 Nov. 2025
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Stir in a splash of sherry vinegar, cook for another minute, then slowly stir in chicken broth, scraping up any pan drippings that have gathered along the surface of the skillet.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jenner also shared a mirror selfie, covering her chest with one arm and wearing a towel low on her waist.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Upon arrival at Star Flat, travelers disembark the train wearing red light necklaces (to ensure no one gets lost), which provide light without compromising night vision.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But people are hard-pressed to find any time, let alone 30 years, to scratch these interpersonal surfaces, Brackett explains.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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Stein recommends avoiding using abrasive cleaners or tools that can scratch the stainless steel.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, India’s bilateral strategy is fraying.—
Pintu Kumar Mahla,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
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Ride Cadence Snowboard Boot But last season, due to general wear and tear, the metal cable of my laces started fraying.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrade. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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