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
-
The more irritating the characters get, the more compelling the movie becomes.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
This silky, fragrance-free formula delivers all the benefits of retinol—like smoothing fine lines, refining texture, and evening skin tone—without a heavy or irritating feel.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Security camera footage revealed that Tyrese’s dogs were running loose and scratching at a neighbor’s door across the street minutes before Henry was attacked and killed.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Security footage from a nearby house showed the dogs scratching at someone’s door and running through yards before Henry was allegedly attacked.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus, health officials recommend using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
My social media pages feature all complexions, including fair, medium, deep, and dark, each wearing different blush tones.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
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The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Odegaard’s recent medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee will be doubly frustrating as a result, with that pair now missing opportunities to build more chemistry.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Label your bulbs now to avoid frustrating mix-ups later.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That contrast only sharpens China’s advantage, where Beijing offers scale and direction, Europe risks eroding credibility.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But those alternatives are more costly, eroding profits.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Even scrambling around, his knee was bothering him.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
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There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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