Synonyms of fraying

fraying

verb

present participle of fray

as in eroding

to damage or diminish by continued friction

constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eroding
• wearing
• rubbing
• chafing
• reducing
• abrading
• biting
• erasing
• fretting
• scraping
• sharpening
• galling
• shaving
• gnawing
• rasping
• frazzling
• eating
• scuffing
• disintegrating
• corrading
• corroding
• chewing
• scouring
• filing
• nibbling
• grazing
• grating
• wiping (away)
• sandpapering
• decomposing
• sandblasting
• dissolving
• wearing out
• grinding
• whetting
• honing
• rubbing out
• breaking down
• breaking up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fraying

More drones and missiles are slipping through both sides’ fraying air defenses, meaning that the civilian death toll has increased, and more critical infrastructure is being damaged. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

The accusations only make Winifred, who has secretly been dealing with a rapidly fraying psyche, more paranoid, leading to bloody and dangerous consequences. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 30 July 2026

Nanfelt said some have misread any concern of unexpected decisions this year as pointing to a fraying relationship between city leadership and the business community. — Dj Simmons july 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026

If literacy is a key part of the American story, that narrative seems to be fraying at the edges. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

This is true for the reasons outlined above (lack of safety features and fraying cords), but also because the bulbs get extremely hot. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026

Even after five years of daily use, the double zippers never snag, the adjustable strap isn’t fraying, and the black color has hardly faded. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

For women who are functioning, performing and quietly fraying at the edges, this kind of shift can be profound. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 13 July 2026

Some business executives said requests for visas applied for in the UAE to Saudi Arabia were rejected earlier this year, in another sign of fraying ties, the Financial Times reported. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 July 2026