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
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
But Trump jumped into the fray Friday morning, posting a social media message urging the rebels to drop their opposition for the sake of a party victory.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 16 May 2025
Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
And with them, our grasp on reality is starting to fray.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
This year, Steffen, midfielder Oliver Larraz and coach Chris Armas joined the fray and have become mainstays.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
But Trump jumped into the fray Friday morning, posting a social media message urging the rebels to drop their opposition for the sake of a party victory.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 16 May 2025
Verb
But at the first crack of daylight, his emotions fray when Janicke ventures outside to pick up branches and sticks.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
And with them, our grasp on reality is starting to fray.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
-
The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
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Amid his ongoing legal battles with President Donald Trump’s administration, Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday announced the results of Operation Coast to Coast, a nationwide human trafficking effort to share intelligence, identify victims and arrest perpetrators.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
One skirmish involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who said he was injured and detained by ICE.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
9 June 2025
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Alongside Israeli military drills, stalled diplomatic talks, and proxy skirmishes, these hostile warnings signal a dangerous escalation.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The hostilities began when Trump lashed out at Musk's criticism of the Republican tax-cut and spending bill, and quickly escalated into an all-out online brawl on Trump's Truth Social and Musk's X, with prominent businessmen, analysts and political names weighing in on the fight.—
Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
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The overwhelming majority of Republicans stand behind President Donald Trump over Elon Musk, according to new polling, which comes as the public feud between the two billionaires erupted into an all-out brawl.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Opaque brokerage fees can erode returns, while fraud is a constant risk.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Critics warned that such measures could erode due process rights and destabilize the legal status of millions of permanent residents.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Consumers are putting values first — even at a time of economic struggle.—
Alexandra Pastore,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
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Burroughs allegedly then took off on foot and was apprehended following a brief foot chase and a struggle, Allard said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
The clash between the two drivers was likely carried forward from the previous race in Detroit, where McLaughlin crashed into Siegel from behind, causing him to get knocked out of the race.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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India, the fanatical cricket country, against England, the founding fathers of the game, will be a clash of styles.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Devers, who often wears his emotions on sleeve, offered only a straightforward answer.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
Ora wore her hair in long, loose waves for the event, with her curtain bangs parted in the center and pushed to either side of her face, then curled into flipped-out, Farrah Fawcett-style swoops.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
With the game being nationally televised on CBS, clips of the fight went viral.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The Panthers are ready for a fight in this series, always, wherever.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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