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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for abrade
IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2014
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
See All Example Sentences for abrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrade
Verb
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At the same time, polls have shown confidence in the economy among Republicans eroding.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As Venus irritates Pluto, exploring an office entanglement might not be a good idea!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
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In fact, vitamin C, chemical exfoliants (like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid), and retinol shouldn’t be used together all at once, since this combination can irritate and inflame the skin (including your existing hyperpigmentation).—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, 132 remains also had exhibited cut marks including slicing, scraping, and chopping.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
7 Aug. 2025
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The small, sharp stone fragments used as tools were likely fashioned from larger pebbles in nearby riverbeds, and they were probably used for cutting or scraping, Brumm said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There will be a moment’s silence held at all Premier League matches this weekend, with players also wearing black armbands.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Klan was more than happy to wear white after Labor Day too.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Don't scratch: A healing tattoo may be itchy, but resist the urge to scratch.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
7 Aug. 2025
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Others shared clever ways to scratch the itch of shopping without actually spending any money.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Once it was fully distributed, the network enjoyed only a brief peak period before the pay-TV bundle started to fray due to cord-cutting and the streaming revolution, making traditional network assets less appealing to their owners.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Bonds between the United States and Europe, which Botstein planned to honor, have also frayed.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrade. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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