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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abrasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafe
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
Privately, Republicans in the Legislature have chafed at the measure, said Tyler Powell, a Republican political consultant in Oklahoma.
—J. David Goodman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024
Malkovich’s subdued and convincing performance, defined by a low and drawn-out intonation, chafes against Green’s verbose screenplay.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Even local officials sympathetic to concerns over tobacco bans, such as Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, are likely to chafe at the move.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
Privately, Republicans in the Legislature have chafed at the measure, said Tyler Powell, a Republican political consultant in Oklahoma.
—J. David Goodman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
Add a moisture-wicking, chafe-preventing stick or powder to your routine, like Mega Babe’s Thigh Rescue or old faithful, Gold Bond Body Powder, to sop up excess wetness before discomfort occurs.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024
Malkovich’s subdued and convincing performance, defined by a low and drawn-out intonation, chafes against Green’s verbose screenplay.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Use your hands: Since washcloths and sponges can irritate the skin, apply cleansers using your fingers, moving then over the skin in a circular motion.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2025
-
Aggressive or improper neck manipulation can irritate or compress nerves in your cervical spine, causing pain, numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling that radiates into your shoulders, arms, or hands.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
For me, that means flying out of and into the same airports, using the same airline, sitting in the same seat number on both flights, and wearing my favorite travel pants: the G4Free Wide-leg Pants.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2025
-
Cannon wears her children on her sleeve — literally.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
But until Tuesday afternoon, four days out, there had been no announcement of what acts would be performing, or even where the show would be held The radio silence annoyed fans, who said so online.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
-
Nearly one-half of Republicans (52%) are annoyed with how much attention is being paid to climate change vs. only 13% for Democrats.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
But there’s vulnerability buried in that sort of indignation.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
-
The feeling was one of indignation at the officiating and at UEFA, European football’s governing body.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
Corbett’s autopsy report revealed abrasions on his forehead, under his eye, and on his shoulder blades.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Medical examiner found Nichols' cause of death was homicide Dr. Marco Ross, the chief medical examiner for the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, said Nichols had multiple injuries including abrasions and bruises across his body.—
Jack Armstrong,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Names scratched into the rusty walls are a bad sign.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
-
When allergies affect feline skin, symptoms include scratching at their face and ears, scabs on their skin and fur loss.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Yes, the minerals in hard water stains can eventually erode the metal fixtures and scratch the glass and tiles.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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But the collisions were brutal, eroding Means’ game in short time.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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