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
Fake blood in color films Prop makers striving for realism and nuance chafed under the restrictions of early film technology.
—
Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Several high-profile managers, who chafed at a more structured environment under the new owners, departed.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
But from the beginning, public broadcasting was in the crosshairs of right-wing politicians who chafed at the idea of the government supporting socially relevant and often educational fare.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Some House Republicans chafed at the accusation during floor debates this week.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Several high-profile managers, who chafed at a more structured environment under the new owners, departed.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
But from the beginning, public broadcasting was in the crosshairs of right-wing politicians who chafed at the idea of the government supporting socially relevant and often educational fare.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Some House Republicans chafed at the accusation during floor debates this week.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafed
Verb
-
The decision by Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, to go on a media tour in recent weeks while negotiating publicly in hopes of landing a better offer for Kuminga, irritated some with the organization, according to league sources.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And the web designer from South Dakota certainly must have irritated her former final two ally Vince Panaro on her way out of the Big Brother house.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This has eroded the cash flow and equity farmers need to withstand changes in the market.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and soaring food prices have eroded political and consumer appetite for sustainability.—
Bloomberg News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was annoyed when people advocated that.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Some people may be annoyed with thousands of fake videos of themselves flooding the internet, but Paul seems to be amused by it.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The potatoes will have delicate skin that can be easily bruised or scratched, so handle them with care.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But the Jaguars scratched and clawed their way back into the game thanks to a Devin Lloyd 99-yard interception return for a touchdown and Trevor Lawrence stumbling into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ashley Graham Ashley Graham wore a black two-piece, paired with black open-toed heels and black angel wings while appearing on the catwalk.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Lee wore a red polo shirt and an old-school New York Giants cap (repping the baseball team, not the football team).—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The elbow that bothered him for days after being hit by a foul tip earlier this season.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
These shoes didn’t have the best arch support, but that wasn’t something that bothered us when walking for short or long periods of time.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many preventative care services are covered, at least partially, by insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but experts say that net of protection has frayed over the years.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The roots frayed with nowhere to go.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Banks has bugged Kerkering to clean his locker, to no avail.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Power gains are bugged to be too low for a new power grind that no one wants to do anyway.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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