frayed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrād How to pronounce frayed (audio)
Definition of frayednext
as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frayed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of fray
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

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 frayed
Adjective
The memento, sourced from a Salvation Army, does show some signs of use in the film, including staining, frayed fringe, and some loose threads. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 June 2026 Clemente suggests looking out for frayed or damaged cords, cracked plugs, unusual warmth, buzzing noises, burning smells, or discoloration around outlets. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Verb
Patience is tried; tempers are frayed. — Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 His nerves were frayed and his sleep suffered. — Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for frayed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
  1. tattered
  2. eroded
  3. ragged
  4. wore
  5. faded
Adjective
  • The trailer finds the film’s protagonists alternately hunting or fleeing the vicious creature — or creatures — through a tattered town known as Hope Harbor, a remote coastal village near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026
  • There was a phone book, camera film canisters, metal pins, the tattered remains of a baseball cap and an orange t-shirt with the outline of a giant thumbs up.
    — Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026
Definition of tattered
Verb
  • This smoke has eroded decades of air quality improvements in parts of the US, particularly in the West.
    — Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Within a few months of Shapiro’s arrival, the behavior eroded any trust that employee had in the surgeon and raised a unique concern for the first time in that employee’s career.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026
Definition of eroded
Adjective
  • Cool Machine, in places, is a detective novel for men on the other side of the law, who check hunches and double back on evidence and places of interest, chasing leads — and running themselves ragged.
    — Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of ragged
Verb
  • The mother-son duo embraced in the driveway of a home in front of a big field; Aaron wore a casual black T-shirt, blue athletic shorts, a baseball cap, and brown flip flips, while his mom paired a sleeveless blue blouse with baggy patterned pants.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 22 July 2026
  • Holmes, 47, wore a pink corset-style shirt paired with black leather pants, while Yarmosky went casual in a T-shirt, jeans and a tote bag.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of wore
Adjective
  • Eric_Lynxweiler | Courtesy of Latinos in Heritage Conservation The Silver Platter, with its faded crimson awning along a stretch in Los Angeles’ Westlake District, doesn’t look like much from the outside.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The faded fabric, buttery-soft cotton, and contrast-trim neckline lend it a vintage vibe that won’t look out of place when paired with more contemporary pieces.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 June 2026
Definition of faded

Browse Nearby Words

fray
frayed
fraying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on frayed

Nglish: Translation of frayed for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All