1
2
as in wears
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 annoys
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
1
as in angers
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in scratches
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafes
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
Zwick is such a conventional filmmaker that DiCaprio chafes trying to break out of the Reluctant Hero straitjacket Zwick puts him in.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafes
Verb
-
During his appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast alongside his The Roses costar Olivia Colman, the 49-year-old actor opened up about what irritates his family members.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The news irritates Lord Lovat, knowing that if the MacKenzie brothers thought Ellen had run off with Malcom Grant, and Dougal (Sam Retford) was dumb enough to beat Malcom as a result, there has to be a moral lapse in judgment somewhere.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Still heartbroken years after the split, Richard wears his anger and pain on his sleeve, but his only goal in life is to keep his daughter safe.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Her design uses the Union Jack for the lining that Yasmin Le Bon wears in the campaign with a Breton T-shirt, white trousers and riding boots.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Naturally, this annoys Alex to no end.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
-
This annoys his wife, who hankers after Bingley (sight unseen) as a future son-in-law.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
They’re made of heavy-duty, durable ceramic with a glass porcelain finish and are resistant to scratches.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Consistent cleaning routines and safe storage habits help prevent smudges, scratches, and buildup.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the veracity and reliability of government data are regularly criticized and devalued by the administration anytime the facts contradict the administration’s positions, and those who speak out are at risk of losing their jobs, trust in all government data, and the agencies themselves, erodes.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
-
That erodes public trust in the armed forces.—
Kristina Mani,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
What bothers her most is how the refusal seemed to change her brother’s behavior.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Microfleece lining on the interior creates a light but appreciably warm layer, while rugged cotton canvas on the exterior cuts the wind chill, protects from abrasions, and looks stylish to boot.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Top distressed straight-leg jeans These jeans feature a light wash with several abrasions and holes.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafes. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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