as in annoying
causing annoyance
an abrasive display of rude behavior
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abrasive
No singer had ever addressed Americans with such an abrasive Irish accent — not even Bono came close.
—
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
First, Stein recommends always avoiding using abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes that can damage the surface of the flooring.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Partisan quarreling, which was already abrasive and raw in the city, grew harsher after that.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
After Musk’s departure, Amodei and other researchers chafed against the leadership of Brockman, whom some considered an abrasive operator, and of Sutskever, who was generally viewed as principled but disorganized.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abrasive
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
First, Stein recommends always avoiding using abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes that can damage the surface of the flooring.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Partisan quarreling, which was already abrasive and raw in the city, grew harsher after that.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
After Musk’s departure, Amodei and other researchers chafed against the leadership of Brockman, whom some considered an abrasive operator, and of Sutskever, who was generally viewed as principled but disorganized.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abrasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrasive
Adjective
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Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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Here's where things get a bit irritating.—
Justin Pot,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Those are frustrating questions to still have about a fifth-year player, but Sorsby could generate some first-round sizzle with a clean 2026 season.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Few things in gardening can be more frustrating than discovering that your favorite plants have been damaged by animals.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abrasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrasive. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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