as in irritating
causing annoyance
learned to ignore those chafing comments that his mother-in-law was constantly making
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in scratching
to make sore by continued rubbing
ill-fitting boots that had badly chafed my heels
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wearing
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 annoying
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
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 chafing
Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
Apply Lubricant Applying a thin layer of liquid lubricant or other anti-chafing topical cream to areas on your feet that are prone to blisters can help reduce friction while running.
—Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek played the titular Dawson, and his persona was one of a straightforward, yearning good guy chafing against others’ cynicism.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Both had spent their entire lives chafing under the terror of bigotry, and from the hypocrisy being exposed by a heinous, toxic legacy of institutionalized double standards.
—John E. Green, Time, 1 Feb. 2026
The slick material keeps chafing to a minimum during workouts, and the brushed inside is so soft against the skin and helps keep cold air out and your body heat in.
—Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
Plus, their padded collar prevents chafing against calves.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Despite my profuse sweating from every pore on my body, the deodorant didn’t dissipate and allowed my thighs to glide against each other without chafing.
—Laura Harold, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
Leila, emotionally wounded by her older sister’s death, enjoys recreational drugs and skipping class with Abbie, who is chafing against her controlling parents.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
The company initially faced significant challenges in bringing its pioneering technology to Bay Area streets and highways, with some local leaders chafing against their lack of authority over where the vehicles operate.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
This anti-chafing stick from MegaBabe is my go-to to prevent soreness in the inner thigh area, where legs tend to rub together.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
Apply Lubricant Applying a thin layer of liquid lubricant or other anti-chafing topical cream to areas on your feet that are prone to blisters can help reduce friction while running.
—Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Women love that this shapewear keeps thighs from chafing.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek played the titular Dawson, and his persona was one of a straightforward, yearning good guy chafing against others’ cynicism.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Both had spent their entire lives chafing under the terror of bigotry, and from the hypocrisy being exposed by a heinous, toxic legacy of institutionalized double standards.
—John E. Green, Time, 1 Feb. 2026
The slick material keeps chafing to a minimum during workouts, and the brushed inside is so soft against the skin and helps keep cold air out and your body heat in.
—Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
Plus, their padded collar prevents chafing against calves.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Despite my profuse sweating from every pore on my body, the deodorant didn’t dissipate and allowed my thighs to glide against each other without chafing.
—Laura Harold, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
Leila, emotionally wounded by her older sister’s death, enjoys recreational drugs and skipping class with Abbie, who is chafing against her controlling parents.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
The company initially faced significant challenges in bringing its pioneering technology to Bay Area streets and highways, with some local leaders chafing against their lack of authority over where the vehicles operate.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafing
Adjective
-
Rather than focusing on clarity with harsh actives, a key component to the glass skin trend is using gentle, non-irritating ingredients that take your skin to a healthier state.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Caustic soda crystals cannot be ingested; baking soda is edible and non-irritating.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Use natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar to safely remove stains and grime without scratching the surface.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Counsell, Hottovy, team president Jed Hoyer and many others in the organization believe that Cabrera was just scratching the surface last season.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jeffrey’s wife, known as Shambles, operates the puppets from behind the curtain, while wearing their 5-year-old daughter, known as Crumbo, in a sling.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Communications student Loane Concy Clementia recently stood outside the Rabanne show at Paris Fashion Week, wearing a black bra, a white lace and satin skirt and a white fur bomber off the shoulder.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
-
But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Flagg finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but the Raptors’ eighth-best defense in the NBA sent multiple bodies at him throughout the game and presented an uncomfortable and frustrating playing experience for his first NBA game in Toronto.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Caroline’s anguish and her ineffectuality at making progress in finding Gabriel make for some frustrating moments as a reader.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
State leaders seem to care more about the undocumented, DEI, Don’t Say Gay, redistricting, Hope Florida and school vouchers while our coastlines are eroding.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Judge Salas told us vilifying judges is eroding trust in the courts.—
Heather Abbott,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Stop bothering me with things that don’t make sense.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What followed was even more disturbing.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
That would be a particularly disturbing piece of real hate mail Kubrin received late last year after she was quoted in a news story about immigration and crime.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafing. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
