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
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Puglia, meanwhile, got two new locales, with Trullo delle Dame and Trullo dei Pumi entering the fray.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
January 20 – February 18 Loose ends may be fraying the edges of your nervous system.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
That proved to be true again Wednesday night as Velasco was in the middle of the fray, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the first half as host Oswego squeaked out a 59-58 win over Metea Valley.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Puglia, meanwhile, got two new locales, with Trullo delle Dame and Trullo dei Pumi entering the fray.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
The magic sauce lies in Brooklinen using long-staple cotton, which keeps the fibers from fraying and feeling rough.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
January 20 – February 18 Loose ends may be fraying the edges of your nervous system.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
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In a city where detentions have largely played out on the streets, Homan’s comments have highlighted a battle that has been unfolding in the background.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The exercise of power, not surprisingly, contributed to the restlessness of a busy mind that waged battles against a committed opposition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At least four videos appear to contradict the administration’s account that Pretti was holding a weapon during the skirmish leading up to his death.—
Karen Cortes,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
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That led to a small skirmish with the governor’s office.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As the refs continued to attempt to break up the brawl, Rhodes attacked Fatu once again.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
That wasn't the only basketball brawl in Kentucky this week, as a high school game had fisticuffs and benches clearing.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Confidence erodes, even when results look strong.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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And there are signs that assumptions about men’s unwillingness to use such products are eroding.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Hyland, who’d been a revelation prior to his recent struggles, regained form in the win.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Unlearn that struggle equals success.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.—
Jack Brook,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
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Some of these interludes of creative clash are funny, but the joke runs dry fairly quickly.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Adding onto the wear-and-tear element was that Monday’s game was a back-to-back, one caused by Saturday’s matchup being postponed to Sunday after a federal immigration agent shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The suspect is described as a man about six feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and black pants.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There was one fight that happened organically when Aspirot dropped the gloves with Kirby Dach after a net-front battle.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Democrats could also attempt next week to strip the DHS component from the legislation and fund the rest of the government while the ICE political fight continues to play out.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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