as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in eroded
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frayed
Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 25 Jan. 2026
For all the dialogue’s sharpness, a few narrative strands are left too loose or frayed.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Distressed, frayed and with a crochet patch, these jeans immediately scream style.
—Lauren Finney Harden, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
The bulk of testimony in the temporary restraining order hearing focused on how an apparent misunderstanding led to an escalating political feud and frayed friendships, rather than similarly dwelling on 42 potentially fraudulent signatures.
—Nicole Hensley, Houston Chronicle, 15 Jan. 2026
But even Kerr, who as of last week still said Kuminga’s return to the lineup was a possibility, has admitted that Kuminga’s departure is likely, but refuted claims that he and Kuminga’s relationship has become frayed.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Look for appliances with frayed or cracked cords and get rid of them.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Faulty wiring or frayed cords are a recipe for disaster, so be sure to thoroughly inspect your model to check for any broken elements.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Although Jerry Garcia cast the longest shadow across the legend of the Dead with his dark, complexly melodic songs and his hazy, frayed vocals, Weir’s shadow was more translucent, melodically lighter and rhythmically astute.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The rapper said he is committed and dedicated to repairing relationships frayed by his alleged manic episodes.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The rapper's relationships and personal life have frayed over the years as well, most notably with John Legend, who once called Ye a close friend and collaborated with Ye on his 2004 album, The College Dropout, and with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
In the fallout, the close relationship between Perez and Albritton frayed.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
That alignment has since frayed.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Their debate illustrated the way the right has frayed without Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a Turning Point event on the Utah Valley University campus in September.
—Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Do not use if frayed, worn or damaged.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 14 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The next areas on your decluttering to-do list should be your kitchen cabinets and office drawers, which have a serious tendency to accumulate unused or outdated electronics, miscellaneous plugs, or frayed, unusable cords.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 25 Jan. 2026
For all the dialogue’s sharpness, a few narrative strands are left too loose or frayed.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Distressed, frayed and with a crochet patch, these jeans immediately scream style.
—Lauren Finney Harden, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
The bulk of testimony in the temporary restraining order hearing focused on how an apparent misunderstanding led to an escalating political feud and frayed friendships, rather than similarly dwelling on 42 potentially fraudulent signatures.
—Nicole Hensley, Houston Chronicle, 15 Jan. 2026
But even Kerr, who as of last week still said Kuminga’s return to the lineup was a possibility, has admitted that Kuminga’s departure is likely, but refuted claims that he and Kuminga’s relationship has become frayed.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Look for appliances with frayed or cracked cords and get rid of them.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Faulty wiring or frayed cords are a recipe for disaster, so be sure to thoroughly inspect your model to check for any broken elements.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Although Jerry Garcia cast the longest shadow across the legend of the Dead with his dark, complexly melodic songs and his hazy, frayed vocals, Weir’s shadow was more translucent, melodically lighter and rhythmically astute.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The rapper said he is committed and dedicated to repairing relationships frayed by his alleged manic episodes.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The rapper's relationships and personal life have frayed over the years as well, most notably with John Legend, who once called Ye a close friend and collaborated with Ye on his 2004 album, The College Dropout, and with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
In the fallout, the close relationship between Perez and Albritton frayed.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
That alignment has since frayed.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Their debate illustrated the way the right has frayed without Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a Turning Point event on the Utah Valley University campus in September.
—Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Do not use if frayed, worn or damaged.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
Adjective
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If your denim is tattered and worn beyond repair, don't worry.—
Heather Bien,
Martha Stewart,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Worn Washcloths or Towels Go through all your linens in the bathroom, and discard any that are old, stained, tattered, or smell weird.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, the LDP has been weighed down by election losses, stubborn inflation and political scandals, which have eroded public trust even as its new leader’s popularity surges.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Critics, however, countered that Kamau's political identity does not exempt him from basic legal standards and that the case was one of several controversies that eroded confidence in his administration.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Also consider that monstera is sometimes called swiss cheese plant, with leaves that develop ragged holes over time.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At 836,000 square miles, Greenland is nearly 80 percent ice, a frozen leaf dangling in the far North Atlantic with dramatic, ragged edges, impossibly sheer cliffs that dwarf even El Capitan, and a massive ice sheet as thick as 11,000 feet.—
Tim Neville,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cody Powers said that his mother wore State Farm sweatshirts and T-shirts and entered every promotion the company offered.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
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Complex magazine also reported that the number may have served as a tribute to the singer's late uncle, who wore 64 as a football player.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to extend his boxing career toward an Olympic appearance at 45 ran into age‑limit rules and concerns about the optics and health risks of watching a faded great take more punishment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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The latter sees a faded star eyeing a possible comeback and encountering all sorts of ghosts from his past.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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