1
as in erodes
to damage or diminish by continued friction
ropes abraded by the rocks were a huge danger to the climbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in scrapes
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 abrades
Each time clothes rub against each other in the washer, the friction abrades the fibers slightly causing the surface to look dull.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrades
Verb
-
Performance can remain visible even while relational health erodes.—
Britton Bloch,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Multiple groups complained that the amendment erodes CPUC’s oversight authority, unfairly benefits big companies such as A&T and would lead to a host of potential problems hurting customers in rural as well as urban areas.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
If someone is in your life long enough, they’re bound to do something that irritates you—and you’re bound to do something that irritates them.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
-
Elsa’s inquisitive presence almost instantly irritates Amalia, as the latter refuses to simply acquiesce to her relentless quizzing.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Every texture is an independent agent with its own membrane in the mix; percussion rubs and scrapes against your attention, while mutating synth patches burble in the periphery.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
The structured silhouette and clean lines feel refined without being flashy, while the durable leather withstands scrapes from branches and changing weather.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The formula leaves skin with a velvety matte, poreless finish and wears beautifully under makeup thanks to its blurring effect.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
-
Kate Middleton often wears styles in bright, bold colors with contrasting white collars and cuffs, an element Diana also often employed.—
Giorgia Olivieri,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Officers noted in the affidavit that the girlfriend’s injuries didn’t quite match her claims, observing a small mark on her neck, scratches on her arm and a small cut on her hand.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
-
The rich color of the collection is also designed to protect against the nicks and scratches a bag picks up in airports — and help set apart the luggage from the masses.—
Marissa G. Muller,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The coalition of supporters frays Still another issue is conflict within the legalization movement itself, particularly between the business and activist wings.—
William Garriott,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrades. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
