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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in clashes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in erodes
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frays
Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Inspired by Greece, Di Petsa recreated sandy beaches as tan denim dresses with loose frays acting as sea foam crashing on shore.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 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
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
Inspired by Greece, Di Petsa recreated sandy beaches as tan denim dresses with loose frays acting as sea foam crashing on shore.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 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
-
The woman said they are getting used to one another, but, luckily, there have been no fights.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Filmmaking is nitpicking, anxiety, fights, claustrophobia, exhaustion, euphoria.—
Susan Sontag,
Vogue,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Both sides cautiously pursue normalization after years of recurring clashes.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
As tensions boiled, clashes broke out and federal agents used pepper balls and tear gas, hitting journalists, a pastor and officers with the Chicago Police Department, according to reports and a lawsuit.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The onset of the Great Depression, which hit Germany’s fragile economy harder than most, heralded a rapid rise in street brawls among these groups.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Every week provides viral moments captured on cellphones of sports fans behaving badly, often erupting into life-altering brawls and chaos.—
Ed Lavandera,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The main channel of the Amazon River constantly erodes existing land and deposits new earth.—
Isa Cardona,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
As the seven-week timeline erodes, some lawmakers have also shown a desire to pass a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government until late next year — but Democrats have shown resistance to that idea, too.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bieber’s close friend Kendall Jenner has been open about her own struggles with acne—recently, becoming an ambassador for Therabody’s new LED mask, the TheraFace Mask Glo.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
26 Oct. 2025
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And despite their struggles at times, the Dolphins haven’t wavered from investing in those young players in this 1-6 start.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Activists literally or figuratively flying the antifa flag have long been among the subset of people who go to protests to destroy property and get into violent skirmishes with far-right protestors (like the Proud Boys).—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Law enforcement officers have deployed tear gas and pepper balls in skirmishes with protesters.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Greenwich Village still wears its history like a second skin, every street a pulse of old New York.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
With one of largest concentrations of military bases in the country (each year, nearly 40,000 military trainees call it home), San Antonio wears its 300-year military legacy with pride.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Despite years of legal battles over the relocations, more than 150,000 bodies were exhumed from the 1920s to the early 1940s for the trip to Colma, each in various stages of decay.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As legal battles intensify, the administration faces mounting pressure to justify its actions and resolve a case that has tested the limits of executive authority over immigration enforcement.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frays. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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