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
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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
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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
Hamidreza Azizi,
Time,
19 June 2026
The City Council is expected to soon step into the fray, with two competing visions of the industry’s future up for consideration.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
New York was broke, fraying at the edges and dangerous in ways that became part of its mythology.
—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
Tehran wants arrangements that avoid binding it to a permanent and full reopening, preserving its ability to restrict passage again should the deal fray.
—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Time,
19 June 2026
The City Council is expected to soon step into the fray, with two competing visions of the industry’s future up for consideration.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
And that net of community health workers who serve as links between families and this lifesaving treatment is fraying.
—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
New York was broke, fraying at the edges and dangerous in ways that became part of its mythology.
—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
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Riff argued the issue to halt the payout was not a legal battle but rather a political one.
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While the first half of the match was full of battles and speed runs from one goal to another, the players seem to be taking a more methodical pace after returning from the locker room.
Noun
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While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Noun
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Interspersed with the adventure – and quite a few brawls with bad guys – are flashbacks to Kara’s time on Krypton and adopting Krypto.
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Strickland and Ospreay brawl in the ring with the former standing tall.
Verb
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That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
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Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Noun
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Thomas, 25, has seen limited playing time this season due to some offensive struggles.
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Carvalho’s struggles included a three-day strike in March 2023.
Noun
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Panama coach Thomas Christiansen lamented a new World Cup rule that has left his team mathematically eliminated before their final Group L game, with today's clash against England offering only a chance to claw back some pride.
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If the favorites move on, Spain and Portugal would provide one of the more entertaining clashes in the entire tournament.
Verb
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The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
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The key to modernizing the pinkish-orange color in 2026 is to wear it in loose, easy silhouettes.
Noun
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Panama is already eliminated from advancing to the knockout round, but is continuing to show some fight here.
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Chicago police said the two women, aged 27 and 36, got into a fight in an apparent road rage incident.
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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