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
Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
New member Kiirii also admits to frayed nerves while mentally preparing for the shoot.
—Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
In terms of wear, neither Baker or Alpert notice any shrinkage or frayed threads.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2025
Perform a visual inspection Look for cracked or frayed cables or other obvious signs of damage.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
An ecru denim jacket and jeans with scorched and frayed hems emphasized the dystopian theme.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
Over in the automotive realm, V10 engines are hanging precariously by the thinnest sliver of a frayed thread thanks largely to boutique track car builders like Rodin and Red Bull.
—New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2025
Trier’s insightful and captivating adult drama, which won the Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, furthers the writer-director’s piercing exploration of the frayed ties that bind us to one another and to our creative selves.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Photo: New York Magazine Bartsch leads the pack, dancing on a speaker (her favorite spot), wearing cutoff shorts, white leggings, red suspenders, and a frayed and cropped jean jacket with holes in the shoulders.
—Amy Virshup, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Averi Baudler, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
So going back and exploring how Ben and Raife’s partnership frayed also became a foundation for season one of Dark Wolf.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
And over the years being taken for granted, that relationship frayed.
—ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
His most capricious unilateral budget decisions have frayed the safety net, burdened veterans and frightened retirees who wonder what might become of Social Security.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Bonds between the United States and Europe, which Botstein planned to honor, have also frayed.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
That’s why new parents should set some grandparenting ground rules as soon as possible to avoid nasty arguments and frayed relationships down the road, according to bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
New member Kiirii also admits to frayed nerves while mentally preparing for the shoot.
—Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
In terms of wear, neither Baker or Alpert notice any shrinkage or frayed threads.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2025
Perform a visual inspection Look for cracked or frayed cables or other obvious signs of damage.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
An ecru denim jacket and jeans with scorched and frayed hems emphasized the dystopian theme.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
Over in the automotive realm, V10 engines are hanging precariously by the thinnest sliver of a frayed thread thanks largely to boutique track car builders like Rodin and Red Bull.
—New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2025
Trier’s insightful and captivating adult drama, which won the Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, furthers the writer-director’s piercing exploration of the frayed ties that bind us to one another and to our creative selves.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Photo: New York Magazine Bartsch leads the pack, dancing on a speaker (her favorite spot), wearing cutoff shorts, white leggings, red suspenders, and a frayed and cropped jean jacket with holes in the shoulders.
—Amy Virshup, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Verb
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
So going back and exploring how Ben and Raife’s partnership frayed also became a foundation for season one of Dark Wolf.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
And over the years being taken for granted, that relationship frayed.
—ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
His most capricious unilateral budget decisions have frayed the safety net, burdened veterans and frightened retirees who wonder what might become of Social Security.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Bonds between the United States and Europe, which Botstein planned to honor, have also frayed.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
Adjective
-
Of the roiling mass of restless natives, cranky artists and tattered idealists who rose up across the Southland this summer to flip off darkness and call America back to its better angels?—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Google’s overwhelming search dominance may be eroded by itself, as more gen AI players come on the scene.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The letter said the secretary's personnel decisions and policy moves had eroded scientific integrity and threatened the safety of the HHS workforce, raising immediate questions about the capacity of the CDC and other agencies to carry out public-health missions.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The original Toxic Avenger was made for chump change and wore its low-budget nature proudly, while this version, which was shot in Bulgaria in 2021 and involves both practical and digital effects, tries to evoke that ragged aesthetic while working with more resources.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The flats are made from smooth faux leather and have a modern square toe and double straps — just like the pair Kruger wore.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
At the 2025 Oscars, both best actress nominee Demi Moore and best actor winner Adrien Brody wore Armani.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The 9th-century monastery rises from the plateau—its stone walls etched with faded medieval frescoes of apostles and Last Judgement scenes.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Its faded design lends it a vintage look — without the wear.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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