1
2
as in eroded
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 annoyed
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafed
And for little ones with whose cheeks might be chafed due to diaper rash, the Sweet Cheeks Diaper Paste helps seal out wetness and irritants to protect skin.
—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Afterward, he was asked about race and politics almost exclusively, a narrowing of his work that often chafed.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Musicians have chafed against being perceived forever, but ear seem to take it extra seriously.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Five current and former Forest Service officials say Bridger Aerospace has chafed at the agency’s rigorous inspections, even as records and sources indicate the company has presented aircraft in need of maintenance and repairs as ready to fight fires.
—
Abe Streep,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
But others have chafed at his involvement and his frequent veto threats.
—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
But lawmakers who chafed at being pushed around by the inflexible governor’s demands for the past eight years found their backbone just in time to do the wrong thing.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Several also chafed at the idea that Iowa officials would likely try to hold their caucus first, regardless of whether the DNC gave them the go-ahead.
—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
In the years after, quotas were largely restored – but Opec’s ability to affect world prices was relatively limited, and poorer members often chafed at the restrictions.
—
The Week Uk,
TheWeek,
23 May 2026
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Afterward, he was asked about race and politics almost exclusively, a narrowing of his work that often chafed.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Musicians have chafed against being perceived forever, but ear seem to take it extra seriously.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Five current and former Forest Service officials say Bridger Aerospace has chafed at the agency’s rigorous inspections, even as records and sources indicate the company has presented aircraft in need of maintenance and repairs as ready to fight fires.
—
Abe Streep,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
But others have chafed at his involvement and his frequent veto threats.
—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
But lawmakers who chafed at being pushed around by the inflexible governor’s demands for the past eight years found their backbone just in time to do the wrong thing.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Several also chafed at the idea that Iowa officials would likely try to hold their caucus first, regardless of whether the DNC gave them the go-ahead.
—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
In the years after, quotas were largely restored – but Opec’s ability to affect world prices was relatively limited, and poorer members often chafed at the restrictions.
—
The Week Uk,
TheWeek,
23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafed
Verb
-
Hasslers, the researchers found, tended to be people who irritated the study respondents but whom the respondents could not escape.
-
But one snafu irritated a sizable portion of the more than 3,000 students gathered at Arie Crown Theater to hear the astronauts discuss their mission.
Verb
-
Beyond hiring and leadership decisions, trust is also built or eroded through everyday behavior.
-
Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Verb
-
David goes on a tour of the past 250 years and is deeply annoyed by every facet of it.
-
There were more infamous incidents, such as when Dave Hodge was visibly annoyed at the network cutting away from a Montreal Canadiens-Philadelphia Flyers game tied late in regulation to show a news broadcast.
Verb
-
Schwarber was scratched minutes before Tuesday's game with lower back tightness.
-
There’s the obvious joy of indulging in French cuisine at every craving’s whim, from world-class pastries to bistro classics, but for Architectural Digest’s global director of audience development, Pujah Shah, that just scratched the surface of the many in-destination babymoon perks.
Verb
-
The Nike Air Max Joga Bonito R9 mashes up the boot Ronaldo wore for the 1998 World Cup with the Air Max 95.
-
Witherspoon wore a hot pink plunging Prada gown to the occasion—perfectly on brand for Elle.
Verb
-
The messaging bothered Al-Shaair deeply and still does.
-
Neighbors bothered by crowing or other issues can file nuisance complaints with Animal Care and Control.
Verb
-
Trump’s posturing underscored how his alliance with Meloni — long seen as one of his closest friends in Europe — has frayed over his war in Iran, his tariffs against Europe and his complaints when anyone disagrees with him.
-
Meloni is astonished and defiant Trump’s posturing underscored how his alliance with Meloni — who has long been seen as one of his closest friends in Europe — has frayed over his war in Iran, his tariffs against Europe and his complaints when anyone disagrees with him.
Verb
-
When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.
-
Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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