as in eroding
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
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Recent Examples of fraying
Cracks in the casing, a stiff or fraying cord, or discoloration around outlets mean that your power strip is failing.
—
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026
The dobby border reinforces vulnerable areas, helping prevent fraying and stretching over time.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The mayor’s veto eliminated a measure to reduce public hostility at a time of toxic divisions fraying the city.
—Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Val’s rapidly fraying relationship with Billy, who has called her in to talk about the disconnect between them.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraying
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026
The dobby border reinforces vulnerable areas, helping prevent fraying and stretching over time.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The mayor’s veto eliminated a measure to reduce public hostility at a time of toxic divisions fraying the city.
—Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Val’s rapidly fraying relationship with Billy, who has called her in to talk about the disconnect between them.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraying
Verb
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Kaua'i’s northwest coast is one of the world's most rapidly eroding shores.—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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As many others have noted, including Fortune contributor Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at the Tufts Fletcher School, this is now structurally unwinding, rather than slowly eroding.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The actor David Merten, from the recent, Michael Urie-starring, gay version of Richard II, manages to both show off his arms and keep cool by wearing a pleated vest with no shirt underneath.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
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Seven European captains threatened to defy an order against wearing them, until, hours before England’s opening kickoff, FIFA announced that each would receive a yellow card.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraying. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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