as in irritating
causing annoyance
learned to ignore those chafing comments that his mother-in-law was constantly making
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafing
Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
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
To me, an American woman in the early 21st century, prickly and free-spirited Lady Murasaki now appears to have been chafing under conformist pressures in the Heian court.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
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
To me, an American woman in the early 21st century, prickly and free-spirited Lady Murasaki now appears to have been chafing under conformist pressures in the Heian court.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafing
Adjective
-
Rubbing alcohol isn’t corrosive to metals, doesn’t stain clothes, and doesn’t cause the same irritating fumes as working with bleach does.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The hypoallergenic face serum is free from potentially irritating ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances, too.—
Lauren Taylor,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That's only scratching the surface of the symbolism and spirit of revolt that Bad Bunny brought to the Super Bowl.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Mock suggests using gentle cleaning tools to avoid scratching the flooring.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Take Keke Palmer in a butter yellow and cream vintage Dior bustier dress with a scarf-tie waist, or Kate Hudson, who combined all the mid-10s and boho trends by wearing a leathery peplum and balloon pants by Chloé.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The post comes days after Meghan made a surprise solo appearance at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in Los Angeles, wearing a dusty rose Harbison Studio gown with black piping and a dramatic black cape.—
Kim Willis,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 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
-
People who have filed claims complain that the review process has been complicated, frustrating and painstakingly slow and that cases are closed with no notice and no money awarded for their losses.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The situation with Harlow, our deaf patient, is incredibly frustrating.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This has caused widespread confusion for voters and staff alike, disrupting service delivery and eroding the relationship between constituents and their representatives.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The continent’s eroding religious traditions and cultural loyalties, and its surging population of Muslim migrants, are a constant and gloomy obsession in Dreher’s posts.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But the extent of our housing affordability crisis is more disturbing than ever before.—
Margi Glavovic Nothard,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Beginning with a montage of news footage from the day — the notorious May 1985 European Cup final between Italian club Juventus and English rivals Liverpool — the film’s open text informs viewers, or rather warns them, that disturbing historical images may follow.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafing. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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