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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chafes
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The lively, spirited daughter of an Afghani immigrant family chafes against the traditional values of her family and immigrant community.
—The Know, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
As John's disciplinary hearing draws ever closer, the protagonist increasingly chafes at his attempts to smooth over the situation.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Throughout, emotion churns and chafes against a backdrop of political unrest, corporate malfeasance, and the everyday horrors that erode modern life.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
What follows is an absurd reckoning that mixes surreal humor and domestic drama as Shula chafes against her relatives’ hysterical funeral planning.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
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
Verb
Villanueva still chafes over these watchdog agencies.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The lively, spirited daughter of an Afghani immigrant family chafes against the traditional values of her family and immigrant community.
—The Know, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
As John's disciplinary hearing draws ever closer, the protagonist increasingly chafes at his attempts to smooth over the situation.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Throughout, emotion churns and chafes against a backdrop of political unrest, corporate malfeasance, and the everyday horrors that erode modern life.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
What follows is an absurd reckoning that mixes surreal humor and domestic drama as Shula chafes against her relatives’ hysterical funeral planning.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
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
-
Elsa’s inquisitive presence almost instantly irritates Amalia, as the latter refuses to simply acquiesce to her relentless quizzing.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
-
The impish half-smile that irritates opponents eventually returns to his face, though.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Rami Malek wears an all-white look to the 2026 Kering Women in Motion Talk at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 19.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
But that pleasure, along with most others in Victorian Pschyo, wears thin.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Scientists say that scratches found on a 59,000-year-old tooth may be the earliest signs of a cavity filling in human history.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Around the edges of the hole, Zubova and her colleagues noticed scratches, which, in addition to the hole’s unusual size and shape, made the archaeologists wonder if it had been drilled intentionally to relieve the pain of a tooth infection.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
When the same investors hold stakes across competitors, the incentive to compete aggressively erodes.—
Ivan Kan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
This damage erodes the wood’s ability to support the weight of everything resting on top of it.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
What bothers him most, however, is the suggestion that neo-soul lacked authenticity or cultural purpose.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
22 May 2026
-
And if someone bothers Anaia, Racine is there to fight for her.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Lee was charged with murder after the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office concluded homicidal violence could not be ruled out in Bravo’s death, with autopsy findings showing multiple abrasions and contusions and MDMA in her system.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
-
Brown suffered a concussion, abrasions to his forehead, cheeks, upper lip, forearms, abdomen and knees.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The coalition of supporters frays Still another issue is conflict within the legalization movement itself, particularly between the business and activist wings.—
William Garriott,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafes. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
