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
Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
In London, Di Petsa recreated the look of sandy beaches with two tan denim frocks, embellished with frayed seams and hems.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
At last Chiefs-Jags won by a single vote as the panel repaired to the Quill & Swill Pub to mend frayed feelings with old friend Jim Beam.
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Investigators later recovered additional skeletal remains along with Levi’s jeans, a frayed leather coat, a leather belt with beadwork, two metal rings and a clog-style shoe.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Over time, the relationship frayed.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Many preventative care services are covered, at least partially, by insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but experts say that net of protection has frayed over the years.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
The roots frayed with nowhere to go.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
His trousers were too long, and the hems were frayed.
—Lisa K. Friedman, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
The international treaties and regimes that govern nuclear issues, particularly the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), are badly frayed.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
American health-care systems already frayed by a brutal pandemic are being dismantled further, and Americans’ antipathy for one another is having deadly effects on children and families.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
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.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
These from Jenni Kayne carry the designer’s signature Californian nonchalance with a frayed edge.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
In London, Di Petsa recreated the look of sandy beaches with two tan denim frocks, embellished with frayed seams and hems.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
At last Chiefs-Jags won by a single vote as the panel repaired to the Quill & Swill Pub to mend frayed feelings with old friend Jim Beam.
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Investigators later recovered additional skeletal remains along with Levi’s jeans, a frayed leather coat, a leather belt with beadwork, two metal rings and a clog-style shoe.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Four years later, Afghanistan has faded from headlines and those lifelines have frayed.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Over time, the relationship frayed.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Many preventative care services are covered, at least partially, by insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but experts say that net of protection has frayed over the years.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
The roots frayed with nowhere to go.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
His trousers were too long, and the hems were frayed.
—Lisa K. Friedman, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
The international treaties and regimes that govern nuclear issues, particularly the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), are badly frayed.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
American health-care systems already frayed by a brutal pandemic are being dismantled further, and Americans’ antipathy for one another is having deadly effects on children and families.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
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.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
Adjective
-
By the end of the summer my catalogs were tattered and worn.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The archangel of trendy-casual walkaroundfits (new word, please spread around) just stepped out in hip-hugging bootcut jeans, a loose and intentionally tattered white T-shirt, a gold pendant necklace, and dark sunglasses, an easy all-American look for a morning on the go.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In each case — tobacco, alcohol, opioids — the middle ground eroded.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
These brawls further eroded democratic norms, while driving voters away from left-wing and moderate parties who seemed helpless to halt them.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Dull blades leave behind ragged leaf tips, which are quick entry points for turf diseases.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Her once ragged fur transformed.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The model wore two looks that night, including an eye-turning pink two-piece lingerie set with a sparkly bustier and lacy boy briefs.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Styled by Soki Mak, Kardashian also wore layers of silver cross pendants and chains as seen on the runway.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Her long blond ends drew a stark contrast to her faded brown roots, which were parted down the middle and brushed up in the back.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The faded colors and distressed pattern give the rug an always-been-here feel and lend a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to the space.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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