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
-
Think flying in spring water to a Caribbean island because a female client thought the local water irritated her scalp.—
Louis J. Esterhazy,
Footwear News,
7 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
Managers heard directly how decisions had eroded loyalty.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Chinese policymakers have intensified efforts aimed at reining in excessive price cuts that have eroded corporate profits while doing little to spur demand.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone Lee comes into contact with is at minimum annoyed with him most of the time, if not outright hating him.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The surface has barely been scratched.—
Sandy Peng,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The recent development was a back injury that forced Glasnow to be scratched from his start Friday in Baltimore.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a building roof some distance away to the courtyard where the event at which Kirk was speaking took place.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 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
-
Ashlee Simpson slayed in an all-black look featuring a cutout top and frayed asymmetrical hem.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
His not winning it was considered a failure, and that bugged him.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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