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
On Wednesday, Emanuel chafed at the idea that those experiences would dampen enthusiasm for his future educational plans.
—
Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Young people have chafed under conservative rule and the stifling of political freedoms.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Raised by conservative Catholic parents, Bardot chafed against her upbringing.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
The elder Buckley was never a part of his son’s life and Jeff Buckley chafed at any comparisons between them.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Mamdani and other Democrats who won a bevy of elections this month had focused relentlessly on affordability — a word that Trump has chafed at, while insisting that prices are broadly down already.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
Another point in the plan says Russia will not invade neighboring countries and NATO will not expand any further — a favorable point for Russia, which has long chafed at the alliance's post-Cold War expansions.
—Justine Redman, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Young people have chafed under conservative rule and the stifling of political freedoms.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Raised by conservative Catholic parents, Bardot chafed against her upbringing.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
The elder Buckley was never a part of his son’s life and Jeff Buckley chafed at any comparisons between them.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Mamdani and other Democrats who won a bevy of elections this month had focused relentlessly on affordability — a word that Trump has chafed at, while insisting that prices are broadly down already.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
Another point in the plan says Russia will not invade neighboring countries and NATO will not expand any further — a favorable point for Russia, which has long chafed at the alliance's post-Cold War expansions.
—Justine Redman, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafed
Verb
-
For a long time your political cartoons published in the editorial pages have irritated me.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
America's lead in AI confers a strategic advantage that should not be eroded by selling the very engines of computational power to a geopolitical competitor.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Away from this airport stronghold, populations are so small and habitats so eroded that the snakes would be in a downward spiral of inbreeding and population decline if left to their own devices.—
Pepper St. Clair,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Kelly covered first base in an attempt to complete a double play, he got annoyed when Brantley’s foot clipped his leg.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Carolyn was annoyed by Gwyneth Paltrow and was best friends with future Real Housewife Carole Radziwill, who was married to John’s cousin Anthony Radziwill.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Joining him on the bench in street clothes will be Draymond Green, who was scratched with a back injury that Kerr said the Warriors were approaching similarly to Curry’s knee.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
White Abarrio — the 2025 Pegasus winner who was scratched on-track at the Breeders’ Cup last year and hadn’t run since — was one of the favorites for this race, and few thought the 7-year-old Skippylongstocking would have enough to get to the line first.—
Tim Reynolds,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Christmas Day in 2025, the little princess wore her long blonde hair partially pulled back in a half-ponytail tied with ribbon for the royal family's church outing at Sandringham.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The listening second graders, most of whom wore uniforms (light-blue polo shirts, dark-blue pants and skirts) were sitting on a rug decorated with eighth notes, piano keys, and a second-grader-size treble clef.—
Adam Iscoe,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But something bothered her about the name.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Schultz said he is not bothered by the criticism marking his seven-year tenure at the $301,000-a-year post.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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,
18 Jan. 2026
-
In the fallout, the close relationship between Perez and Albritton frayed.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Feeling good Weathers has been bugged by several injuries over the last few years.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The comings and goings of the many planes at the little field bugged the Marine Corps brass and rattled the hens at the chicken ranch that was once right about where Cold War-era bowlers would one day rattle the pins at Frontier Lanes.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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