1
as in fights
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS
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2
as in clashes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brawls
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention
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as in erodes
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frays
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of Season 1, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
The link between the state and the public frays, power concentrates in the hands of the few and institutions are hollowed out.
—Maria Mendiluce, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
To stitch is to count days, to hold what frays, to choose tenderness as method and message.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Old frictions become new frays in the very first episode as Norma (Burnett) and Linda, née Penelope (Dern), collide in a tête-à-tête dispensing new secrets and poignant credos after the explosive season one finale that left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot and Linda cuffed.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Why do buyers see frays and stains as signatures of value?
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The materials feel premium — sturdy canvas that softens with wear, tweed that frays with character, and enamel pins that add personality without gimmick.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
Moschino presented pleated jeans with carrot-shape legs and jeans outlined with frays.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of Season 1, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
The link between the state and the public frays, power concentrates in the hands of the few and institutions are hollowed out.
—Maria Mendiluce, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
To stitch is to count days, to hold what frays, to choose tenderness as method and message.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Old frictions become new frays in the very first episode as Norma (Burnett) and Linda, née Penelope (Dern), collide in a tête-à-tête dispensing new secrets and poignant credos after the explosive season one finale that left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot and Linda cuffed.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Why do buyers see frays and stains as signatures of value?
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The materials feel premium — sturdy canvas that softens with wear, tweed that frays with character, and enamel pins that add personality without gimmick.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frays
Noun
-
In Alameda, hundreds of youths gathered at the South Shore Center parking lot, where police reported fights and two people were hospitalized.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
More than three-quarters of street space — most of our public space — is given over to driving and parking cars, local fights over new bike lanes notwithstanding.—
Jon Orcutt,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Polls give Magyar's Tisza party a double-digit lead with Hungarians weary of years of corruption accusations, clashes with the EU and economic stagnation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
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His tactics, including throwing gas canisters into crowds of protesters, led to a lawsuit in Chicago and clashes with other administration officials.—
Julia Ainsley,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Avs and Stars haven’t had games devolve into all-out brawls like Tampa Bay and Florida have.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The change had come following years of youth disturbances, including major brawls and nearby shootings.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trust erodes not just in technology, but in leadership’s ability to steer it responsibly.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
As that infrastructure erodes, what replaces it increasingly asks filmmakers to do all of it.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Images of marchers protesting the Nigerian civil war and of leaders of anti-colonial struggles blend with early documentation of European women’s-liberation movements.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
After admittedly chasing stats, which led to some early-season struggles, Simmons settled into the defensive end possession and blossomed into one of the SEC’s most prolific sack masters.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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The two also got into multiple skirmishes back in December during a recent Lakers-Suns game, including James knocking down Brooks after some contact from the NBA's all-time leading scorer.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As Minnesota's Medicaid program broils in the hot seat over a recent round of federal fraud indictments, Indiana's Medicaid program is gaining national attention as a counter-example for its efforts to crack down on program eligibility and waste.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
29 Dec. 2025
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This Ninja air-fries, roasts, broils, bakes, and dehydrates—all while using about 80 percent less energy than a regular oven.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The slacker wears his ability to avoid traditional employment like a fancy Panama hat.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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One TikTok user asked if Crowe ever wears his own watches in his movies.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frays. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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