Synonyms of chafe

chafe 1 of 2

verb

ˈchāf 

1

as in to irritate

to make sore by continued rubbing

ill-fitting boots that had badly chafed my heels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritate
• scratch
• scrape
• abrade
• fret
• excoriate
• skin
• gall
• graze
• burn
• peel
• inflame
• flay

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

• wear
• erode
• fray
• rub
• abrade
• reduce
• fret
• shave
• gall
• erase
• scrape
• bite
• gnaw
• sharpen
• eat
• corrade
• frazzle
• graze
• chew
• corrode
• scour
• rasp
• file
• wipe (away)
• disintegrate
• nibble
• scuff
• grate
• wear out
• sandpaper
• dissolve
• sandblast
• grind
• decompose
• rub out
• whet
• hone
• break down
• break up

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

• annoy
• bother
• irritate
• bug
• persecute
• aggravate
• exasperate
• irk
• get
• itch
• worry
• spite
• vex
• rile
• eat
• infuriate
• ruffle
• gripe
• grate
• anger
• burn (up)
• pique
• gall
• nark
• frost
• get to
• put out
• wear on
• tease
• plague
• nettle
• peeve
• provoke
• rasp
• hack (off)
• insult
• nag
• rub the wrong way
• offend
• get on one's nerves
• harass
• stick in one's craw
• upset
• get one's goat
• heckle
• hassle
• enrage
• rouse
• discomfort
• set one's teeth on edge
• rankle
• inflame
• agitate
• distress
• outrage
• pester
• roil
• unsettle
• badger
• antagonize
• discompose
• devil
• harry
• undo
• fret
• disquiet
• perturb
• exercise
• madden
• unhinge
• affront
• bait
• incense
• miff
• bullyrag
• freak (out)
• hagride

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appease
• placate
• oblige
• conciliate
• pacify
• please
• satisfy
• gratify
• delight
• mollify
• assure
• propitiate
• soothe
• comfort
• cheer
• reassure
• content
• gladden
• console
• quiet
• solace

chafe

2 of 2

noun

1

as in indignation

Related Words

• indignation
• anger
• ire
• gall
• umbrage
• dander
• outrage
• dudgeon
• pique
• discomfort
• resentment
• irritability
• huff
• irritation
• perturbation
• trouble
• angriness
• pet
• distress
• upset
• agitation
• irateness
• peeve
• displeasure
• snappishness
• irritableness
• disturbance
• bother
• grief
• exasperation
• frustration
• vexation
• aggravation
• annoyance
• pip
• botheration
• aggro

Dissimilar Words

• pleasure
• delight

2

as in abrasion

Related Words

• abrasion
• scratch
• swelling
• rupture
• wound
• scrape
• strain
• bruise
• contusion
• harm
• hurt
• lesion
• boo-boo
• injury
• detriment
• bump
• burn
• scald
• gash
• laceration
• damage
• disability
• scar
• concussion
• scathe
• sear
• impairment
• cut
• affliction
• disfigurement
• disablement
• defacement

Dissimilar Words

• recovery
• healing
• remedy
• cure
• fix

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chafe

Verb

The state’s changes to the rates chafed some local districts’ officials, including fire districts that fretted about affording equipment and firefighters as risks from wildfires loomed large year-round. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026

Her choice of words often chafed Party leaders. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Noun

Thoughtfully designed to include zip pockets to keep your personal items safe and flat seams to reduce chafe, the shorts are well-made. —Caitlyn Martyn May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 June 2025

Ellie, for her part, chafes at his desire to shelter her even as her immunity, and increasing handiness with a gun, gives her an adolescent sense of invincibility. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025