1
as in battle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention
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as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fray
David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
But with left tackle Trent Williams anchoring the offensive line and tight end George Kittle back in the fray for a second straight game, don’t expect McCaffrey to retreat from the spotlight.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Over time, the relationship frayed.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
State Attorney General Jason Miyares rushed into the fray on Monday with a memo arguing that Democrats had not displayed their proposal long enough in advance of the special session called to pass it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
But with left tackle Trent Williams anchoring the offensive line and tight end George Kittle back in the fray for a second straight game, don’t expect McCaffrey to retreat from the spotlight.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The line between college sports—at least at the power conference level—and pro sports appears to be fraying and, thus far, hasn’t deterred college fans from following their favorite teams.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Over time, the relationship frayed.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
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History buffs should head to Saratoga National Historic Park, which was the site of two pivotal Revolutionary War battles.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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What began as a grassroots open-records request has now branched into a multifront legal battle.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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David Wolf, the executive director of the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Scottsbluff, said experts estimate that as many 10 people died for every mile of the trail ‒ perhaps as many as 20,000 travelers, plus an unknown number of Native Americans killed during skirmishes.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The skirmish brought players from both teams out of the dugouts and out of the bullpens.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The match ended in a double count-out, but The Vision maintained the upper hand in the ensuing brawl.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The videos of the brawl that went viral concerned Culbertson.—
Scott Wartman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In particular, the city’s stormwater system is failing as pipes have eroded and caused sinkholes to pop up in some parts of the city.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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While cord-cutting continues to erode the national pay-TV base, local sports has managed to offset any losses in linear reach with a rapidly expanding streaming audience.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The historic build-up stands in stark contrast to the United States’ own supply struggles.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Much of this strife, including throughout the 1967-1970 civil war and subsequent clashes over the decades, has also been closely tied to feuds across ethnic and territorial lines.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Pfizer and Novo Nordisk are in a takeover clash over the obesity biotech Metsera, with both pharmaceutical giants raising their bids for the startup as of Monday.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jenner also shared a mirror selfie, covering her chest with one arm and wearing a towel low on her waist.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Upon arrival at Star Flat, travelers disembark the train wearing red light necklaces (to ensure no one gets lost), which provide light without compromising night vision.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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When police arrived, however, there was no sign of any fight or crime scene.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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In his eight wins, all eight have come inside the distance, with only two fights seeing a second round.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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