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
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Recent Examples of chafing
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
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
Adjective
Shop these finds and more anti-chafing solutions at Amazon below, from $5.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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
To further create a secure feel, the shoe is also made with a plush heel collar and tongue that lock you in without chafing against your feet.
—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafing
Adjective
-
Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
-
The hypoallergenic face serum is free from potentially irritating ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances, too.
Verb
-
In April, when Rojas got news that his father had been rushed to the hospital, Roberts quickly took the decision on whether to play out of Rojas’ hands, scratching him from the lineup.
-
Drug companies are experimenting with other approaches called MRGPRX2 blockers that target the pathway Kaplan’s team linked to scratching.
Verb
-
He was last seen wearing a light green shirt, camouflage shorts and white socks.
-
Murdaugh’s team initially asked that he be allowed to come to all court appearances, including pretrial hearings, wearing civilian clothes and unshackled.
Verb
-
Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.
Adjective
-
So with that, that is extremely frustrating to, to members of Congress, especially Senate Republicans who think legislation like the bipartisan housing bill is good for voters heading into the midterms.
-
But months later, Feldstein Soto’s office still hasn’t executed the contracts, frustrating tenants rights advocates and the nonprofits, which are struggling to pay their staff without the funds from the city.
Verb
-
But experts and users warn that technology risks eroding authenticity and chemistry at the heart of real-world relationships.
-
This trend, partly driven by workplace loneliness, risks eroding company culture and coworker cohesion.
Verb
-
That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Adjective
-
The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
-
This past Juneteenth weekend saw a spate of shooting incidents that underscored a disturbing trend.
Cite this Entry
“Chafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafing. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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