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
Their governments have chafed for years at the global dominance the US has enjoyed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
—
Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Local officials have often chafed at the state’s willingness to impose itself on the city, whether on police control, guns and housing rules.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Stigwood chafed at making anything less than a gritty film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
Still, the Jews chafed under Roman rule and finally rebelled in 66 CE, a revolt which invited the wrath of the Roman legions led by future emperors Vespasian and his son Titus.
—Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025
Her lips were blue, her arms and legs chafed red.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
It can also be used on split heels, chafed skin, calluses, sunburns, and cuticles.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025
Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Local officials have often chafed at the state’s willingness to impose itself on the city, whether on police control, guns and housing rules.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Stigwood chafed at making anything less than a gritty film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
Still, the Jews chafed under Roman rule and finally rebelled in 66 CE, a revolt which invited the wrath of the Roman legions led by future emperors Vespasian and his son Titus.
—Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025
Her lips were blue, her arms and legs chafed red.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
It can also be used on split heels, chafed skin, calluses, sunburns, and cuticles.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafed
Verb
-
In fact, the aliens take a back seat to the human interactions, which irritated some viewers eager to see actual aliens in a show about an extraterrestrial invasion.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Google’s overwhelming search dominance may be eroded by itself, as more gen AI players come on the scene.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The letter said the secretary's personnel decisions and policy moves had eroded scientific integrity and threatened the safety of the HHS workforce, raising immediate questions about the capacity of the CDC and other agencies to carry out public-health missions.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Keanu, still annoyed from the veto ceremony, talked to Ava Pearl in the HOH room and called Rachel a liar.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
This thrilled her base—and annoyed many casual listeners.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But over time, even the most beautiful planks can start to look dull, dry, or scratched, especially in high-traffic areas.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Jenna Ortega's Wednesday has only scratched the surface of her family's dark history.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The flats are made from smooth faux leather and have a modern square toe and double straps — just like the pair Kruger wore.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
At the 2025 Oscars, both best actress nominee Demi Moore and best actor winner Adrien Brody wore Armani.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And she couldn’t be bothered to start things up again.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
No one has ever bothered me for doing this.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
So going back and exploring how Ben and Raife’s partnership frayed also became a foundation for season one of Dark Wolf.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His not winning it was considered a failure, and that bugged him.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The characters muse about the extreme likelihood that their apartments have been bugged.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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