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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
-
The post carried neither hereditary title nor extraordinary fortune, and yet it was regarded with a degree of respect that many noble families found faintly irritating.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
-
And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Repairing Furniture There are few misfortunes greater than scratching a new piece of dark wood furniture.—
Joey Skladany,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
-
Unless Drury is just scratching the surface as a 26-year-old, his 27 points in 82 regular-season games aren’t as promising a sign as his postseason highlights.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
As an adult, Aemond is vicious, tactical and easily identifiable by wearing an eye patch over a blue glass ball where his eye used to be.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
-
The offender is described as an African-American man between 40-45 years of age, weighing 180-200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a gray/black baseball cap, a light blue shirt, gray pants, and black gym shoes.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.—
Tyler Hayes,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
If this World Cup has been trying for Iran, it’s been frustrating for Belgium, which hasn’t scored a goal of its own.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
The Netherlands are coming off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Japan and desperately need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Starmer led the Labour party to a landslide victory in July 2024 and ever since, his popularity has been eroding thanks to a persistently high cost of living, an anemic economy and a scandal over his willingness to accept gifts from wealthy donors.—
James Cirrone,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
The internet's foundational assumption of human participation is eroding as AI agents become indistinguishable from people.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead, the reviews were largely muted, with analysts not bothering to adjust their revenue estimates for 2027 or 2028, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
That appears to be bothering people, as the broadcast noted some pointed conversations among the Spanish team during the hydration break.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
That normalization may be the most disturbing aspect of all.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Although the project is unlikely to affect Jackson’s popularity much, some of the revelations uncovered during the investigation are disturbing.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafing. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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