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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abrade
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
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
See All Example Sentences for abrade
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for abrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrade
Verb
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The persistent issue of greenwashing, where investments are promoted as sustainable without verifiable environmental benefits, has eroded trust and slowed market development.—
Edoardo Francesco Sabatino,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Maryland’s coastlines are eroding at an alarming rate.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Use Insect Repellent to Avoid Bug Bites Stinging, biting, and otherwise irritating bugs are prevalent in summer.—
Sarah Richards,
Verywell Health,
3 June 2025
Verb
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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
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In the nine games since, Soto has scraped together just four hits in 34 at bats.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Sienna, 8, wore her hair in adorable pigtails while Ciara wore a middle part with loose curls pulled back.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
4 June 2025
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At prosecutors’ request, the judge also ordered Killian to wear an electric ankle monitor, surrender his passport and to obey a curfew of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. if unemployed.—
JOE MARUSAK,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2025
Verb
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But the car industry has not scratched the surface of these vehicles' potential.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
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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
Verb
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Trump’s incendiary move has set a city whose nerves have been frayed all year further on edge, fearing there’s worse to come from him.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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The piece featured another asymmetric detail that was layered on top of a gauzy cotton organza with a crew neckline, frayed hem detailing and concealed side zipper closure.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrade. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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