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
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
Advertisement Lee believes a key factor is that Korean society has no predominant religion but a smattering of similarly sized faiths that maintain a balanced following without chafing against each other.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 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
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
Advertisement Lee believes a key factor is that Korean society has no predominant religion but a smattering of similarly sized faiths that maintain a balanced following without chafing against each other.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 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
-
Mosquitoes may be tiny, but their bites can pack an irritating punch.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Critics note the time and effort needed to remove stubborn labels—after all, few things are more irritating than peeling off a label and being met with sticky residue.—
Caelan McMichael,
Allure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And that’s just scratching the surface.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Jonas Brothers’ performance at the 2025 World Series left some viewers scratching their heads.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Lawrence, Sienna Miller, and more stars have been wearing outerwear that adds an instant elegant touch to outfits (even sweatpants).—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Steve Madden Mellow Cognac Suede These Steve Madden clogs remind me of the platform Ugg shoes everyone was wearing this time last year.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The dog keeps pulling the tablecloth off the table, there’s piss on the ground, and her husband Jackson, played by Robert Pattinson, is just there — annoying enough on its own.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
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A lot of noise around the Chiefs The Chiefs have become a mainstay in NFL discourse by winning three Super Bowls in the Mahomes era, and annoying an endless list of fan bases with their ability to overcome the odds and rally for a late win at an unprecedented rate.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Filling up your tank can be a frustrating experience in today's economy, and the Sonata Hybrid limits that experience.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Mixed messaging from the federal and state government has been frustrating for recipients.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Higher insurance and financing costs would be reflected as a sanctions premium on Russian crude, widening the discount to Brent and eroding Russia’s net revenue, the analysis said.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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But Congress has increasingly rejected his agenda, underscoring his eroding grip on power.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If something’s bothering you, say so.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With 31 percent of adults and 80 percent of adolescents not meeting recommended levels of physical activity, researchers have unveiled a disturbing glimpse of what the long-term impacts on our health and appearance could look like.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The film follows his lead, constructing a near-relentless study of misery that culminates in a disturbing finale.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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