ABRASIVE Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

abrasive

adjective

ə-ˈbrā-siv

Definition of abrasive

as in annoying

causing annoyance an abrasive display of rude behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 abrasive To me, Harry’s moves still feel a little too abrasive for these styles, but the judges eat up this exuberant jive. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026 Not to mention that Cruise’s performance starts at an abrasive 11, leaving him nowhere to go. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 While melamine sponges are certainly effective cleaning tools, they are also considered an abrasive material and can leave fine scratches all across your stainless steel appliances. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026 In fact, Gerrod Moore, a brand manager of Maytag advises against uninformed stainless steel cleaning experimentation, because some kitchen cleaning go-to’s like bleach, glass cleaner, abrasive cleaners, and steel wool may damage the metal. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abrasive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrasive

Adjective

In Atrahasis, noisy humans become annoying to the gods, so the gods drown them.

— Eric Vanden Eykel, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
There's a lot to love about this Lego Icons Project Hail Mary set, including the lack of annoying stickers.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

For home-office equipment, networking hardware, 3D printers, and other devices where unexpected shutdowns are costly or irritating, the Elite 300 can serve a dual purpose rather than sit unused until the next blackout.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
That tiny gesture may explain why secret copying can feel especially irritating.

— Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritating

Adjective

Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel didn’t shy away from discussing his job security Thursday amid a frustrating 0-5 start to the season.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Wednesday's rain made for a frustrating day for hundreds of travelers at Denver International Airport, including some football fans arriving for Thursday night's Broncos game.

— Tori Mason, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Adjective

Even when the metaphor is painfully on the nose, the film’s most disturbing images are more than their dramatic limitations and a whale is still an astonishing place to spend a movie.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
When her aunt Helena and paralyzed grandmother Regina arrive, the fragile boundaries between everyday life, ancestral superstition and Trina’s increasingly disturbing nightmares begin to collapse.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

abrasions

abrasive

abreast

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Abrasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrasive. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of abrasive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on abrasive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

syncretic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes