abrasive

adjective

ə-ˈbrā-siv How to pronounce abrasive (audio)
Definition of abrasivenext
as in annoying
causing annoyance an abrasive display of rude behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Chase has long had a reputation in Hollywood for being difficult to work with, with multiple former co-stars and collaborators alleging abrasive, confrontational and inappropriate behavior over the years. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 What Not To Use Abrasive Sponges Avoid scrubbing the microwave’s interior with rough materials like steel wool or abrasive sponges. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 July 2026 But the confidence of this hard pivot and the thrillingly oddball noise construction absolutely hail from the same world as QT and SOPHIE’s exquisitely abrasive 2015 compilation, Product. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 July 2026 For Yard Act’s 2022 debut, The Overload, the quartet chiseled flamboyant caricatures of British life and portrayed their flawed country with an abrasive, punishing tone. — Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for abrasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrasive
  1. annoying
  2. irritating
  3. frustrating
  4. disturbing
Adjective
  • Edward Hoke is an ingratiating, appropriately annoying and attractive Blaze.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Cloobeck, 64, was arrested in May and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • Sabalenka double-faulted on match point, her seventh double fault of the day, to put an exclamation point on an irritating evening.
    — Lukas Weese, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Soft, suede-like material is smooth on skin and non-irritating.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritating
Adjective
  • Summary Many professionals discover their most impactful career lessons often come from demanding, even frustrating, bosses.
    — Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Senate Bill 29 directly confronted the most frustrating aspect of Election Day, ballot questions.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • But no one can ignore the reality that New York has experienced a disturbing rise in antisemitic attacks.
    — Simcha Itzkowitz, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • For people who live just steps from the home where the gun violence erupted, the incident was both disturbing and unsettling.
    — Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

abrasions
abrasive
abreast
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Cite this Entry

“Abrasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrasive. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abrasive

Nglish: Translation of abrasive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abrasive

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