1
2
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant stepping on a rope will gradually chafe it, rendering it unsafe for rock climbing
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
nothing chafes us so much as those telemarketers who call during the dinner hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in indignation
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in abrasion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of chafe
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
After the Second World War, oil-producing countries increasingly chafed under the Seven Sisters’ grip, often demanding a larger share of revenues.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 May 2026
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
What feels like sci-fi resolves into a Realist worker portrait as a technological fantasy of efficiency chafes against the fleshy, earthly physical world.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
After the Second World War, oil-producing countries increasingly chafed under the Seven Sisters’ grip, often demanding a larger share of revenues.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 May 2026
Noun
Zwick is such a conventional filmmaker that DiCaprio chafes trying to break out of the Reluctant Hero straitjacket Zwick puts him in.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
It is expected that Mourinho will try to tighten control over leaks concerning internal dressing-room matters, something that has irritated the club this season — and which Alonso sought to tackle.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Key Points Cayenne pepper can deter squirrels by irritating their senses without causing harm.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Mark, on a skateboard, and Jacob, also wearing inline skates, followed a little more than an arm’s length behind.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
There’s a similar amount of personality within Hadspen House, where a Roman bust wears a necklace of seashells and a snug room is decorated in the colors of the croquet set outside on the lawn.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Ever been annoyed after Windows setup that your user folder has a weird name?—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
-
The suspension is a nice blend between comfort and sport—the sweet spot where breaks in the asphalt don’t annoy, yet body roll never feels excessive.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
These justices have shown no particular alarm or regret over the sweeping attack on Black voting power that has followed their erosion of the VRA, displaying instead a haughty indignation that anyone would criticize their decisions or rationale.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
-
Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The driver died at the scene, and an ambulance service transported the remainder of the passengers to the hospital to treat several broken fingers, concussions, bruises, abrasions and a broken femur, per PSN Zrt.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
-
In addition to a gunshot wound, the autopsy showed Cariif had blunt force trauma to his jaw and abrasions on his hands consistent with a fist fight.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Johnson, the second batter of the frame, hit a long fly ball to right field that kept carrying and scratched the wall as Jarrod Hocking attempted to rob it.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
Each spatula has a grippy handle and is made of flexible silicone that resists high cooking temperatures and won’t scratch bowls or bakeware.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This behavior, often rewarded by leaders mistaking confidence for judgment, erodes psychological safety.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Frequent leadership changes have disrupted policy continuity, weakened executive authority, and eroded public trust in democratic institutions.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
This was a club that embraced African players before much of Europe bothered to scout the continent seriously.—
Zohran Mamdani,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
In my dream world where Emmys voters bother to watch Bait, Khan is a shoo-in.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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