Synonyms of frayed

frayed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrād 

as in tattered

worn or torn into or as if into rags

she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tattered
• ragged
• faded
• shabby
• raggedy
• seedy
• shredded
• threadbare
• ratty
• worn-out
• scruffy
• dingy
• dilapidated
• dowdy
• patchy
• decrepit
• mangy
• lacerate
• holey
• tacky
• grungy
• tatterdemalion
• dog-eared
• broken-down
• scuzzy
• run-down
• moth-eaten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• new
• unused
• brand-new
• spick-and-span

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

• eroded
• wore
• rubbed
• frazzled
• chafed
• abraded
• reduced
• galled
• sharpened
• fretted
• erased
• scraped
• gnawed
• shaved
• rasped
• scuffed
• chewed
• corraded
• corroded
• ground
• sandpapered
• ate
• disintegrated
• scoured
• filed
• grated
• nibbled
• grazed
• sandblasted
• decomposed
• wiped (away)
• bit
• dissolved
• rubbed out
• wore out
• whetted
• honed
• broke down
• broke up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frayed

Adjective

While Abrams and Brolin were able to bring the emotional gravitas to flashback scenes chronicling key moments in their frayed relationship, shooting the in-whale scenes was the overarching creative challenge. — William Earl, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Ireland needed goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher at his best to deny Israel after the break, and tempers became frayed around the hour mark after a clash between Idah and Raz Shlomo. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

But ties between the US and Zambia frayed this year following reports the State Department was tying health funding to preferential mineral access for US firms, a plan that Zambia rejected. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

As the latest iteration of her signature red tresses, these braids are just like the songs on her latest studio album, Blue Island—frayed, perfectly tousled, and free-flowing. — Sidney Madden, VIBE.com, 19 Aug. 2026