fray 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrā How to pronounce fray (audio)
Definition of fraynext
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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fray

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fray
Noun
The screening’s reception was so strong that nearly every major player entered the fray, driving the bidding to figures the indie distributor simply couldn’t turn down. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Ledgebrook has been happy to stay away from the fray, until now. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
The companies on this year's list are tackling problems that range from rising energy demand to fraying supply chains. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 For two years, tension over the case has frayed allegiances in Dearborn. — Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
  1. battle
  2. skirmish
  3. brawl
  4. erode
  5. struggle
  6. clash
  7. wear
  8. fight
Noun
  • In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, Hollister was also engaged in a lengthy courtroom battle with Perry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the rights to another property, a Los Feliz convent the singer hoped to turn into a private home.
    — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • This leads to even more behind-the-scenes skirmishes laced with character-centric comedy, as opposing factions align.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ties between the two countries remain strained over their long-running Himalayan border dispute, which erupted into a deadly skirmishes in 2020 that saw soldiers from both sides use rocks and iron rods in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • Doing so after a postgame brawl that made national news could be even tougher.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The brawl began when the players were shaking hands, just after Grayson defeated Carol City 10-9.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of brawl
Verb
  • Washington must take care, however, not to transfer defense responsibilities faster than allies can develop the capabilities to assume them—and not to do so in ways that erode trust, interoperability, and coordination.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The deck replacement is necessary because traffic loads on the span have become increasingly heavy, and salt air has eroded bridge materials.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of erode
Noun
  • Hernández said the group wanted to use the platform to bring further awareness to the struggles immigrants continue to face in this country with an audience that notably skews more American than Los Tigres is accustomed to.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggle
Noun
  • The social media clash also comes as El-Sayed faces criticism over his responses to questions about Iran’s regime and Islamist organizations.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In a clash of the top two teams in FIFA’s rankings, played before a sellout crowd of 19,220, the visitors left the home side shell-shocked with two spectacular strikes.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Verb
  • The company’s first product was the Ruffle Power Pareo, which can be worn as a pareo or a skirt and remains one of their bestsellers.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Bee Frontier can be worn as a Fitbit-like band on the wrist or as a clip-on pin.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of wear
Noun
  • Producer Kang Jeongwon was struck by the film’s central contradiction, that a fight to protect a family can upend its daily life.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Choudri also made headlines earlier this year after the authority put him on leave after police arrested him at his Folsom home following a fight between his daughter and fiancée.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

frauleins
fray
frayed
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Cite this Entry

“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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