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

At a time when the social safety net is fraying and affordability is a midterm-election mantra, churches are stepping into the void. — John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Hegseth’s fraying ties on the Hill put him on course for a bigger headache after the election, according to interviews with a half-dozen senators as well as multiple administration officials. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026

The companies on this year's list are tackling problems that range from rising energy demand to fraying supply chains. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Its tale of a Zainichi assassin (an ethnic Korean in Japan), as well as fraying political tensions between the North and South, take its characters far and wide, in a follow-the-money treasure hunt dangerously close to the halls of power. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Social cohesion is fraying, and crime is rising, while plunging birth rates and emigration warp Cuba’s demographics. — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

Despite fraying relations with FIFA, the vibe once the sport began was largely good. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

That approach ups the stakes along with the body count, and gives James the opportunity to dig into his character’s fraying psyche. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026

Amid competing global crises and shifting donor priorities, that safety net is fraying. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026