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
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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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frays
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
The blend of pea proteins, baobab seed oil, and hydrolyzed quinoa work to reinvigorate strands from the inside out, sealing any breakage and preventing new frays.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
The departure of Matt Roy was hedged somewhat by the signing of Joel Edmundson two summers ago, but replacing Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence with Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci while Drew Doughty, 36 and in his 18th season, grays and frays has proven highly counterproductive.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
The blend of pea proteins, baobab seed oil, and hydrolyzed quinoa work to reinvigorate strands from the inside out, sealing any breakage and preventing new frays.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
Verb
The coalition of supporters frays Still another issue is conflict within the legalization movement itself, particularly between the business and activist wings.
—William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
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
-
There are glimpses of crossover fights between Gambit (Channing Tatum) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu); Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh); and Doom and Thor (Hemsworth).—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Another admonishes participants not to urinate in the street, start fights, block streets, climb on cars or deface property — all things that have been problems some years.—
Larry Neumeister,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When the lawsuit was originally filed in October, Operation Midway Blitz was in full swing, with near-daily clashes between immigration agents and protesters on the streets and outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Bieber has had clashes with the paparazzi, and has sent ambiguous messages over social media hinting at his sorrow.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other brewhouse brawls happen at Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa (Havoc And Haze) and Walking Tree Brewery in Vero Beach (Rooted In Chaos), often drawing 300 to 500 visitors, CCW co-owner Dan Ackerman says.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
While on-ice brawls are nothing new in professional ice hockey, flying fisticuffs have a history in the police and fireman face off from years past.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Affordability issues explain part of the apprehension; increasingly, young people have been priced out of the housing market, breeding a resentment that erodes faith in institutions — and in capitalism itself.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, in the immediate term, Gil’s struggles may be an issue for a few more turns throughout the rotation.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
His hot stretches were overshadowed in his mind by some struggles late in the spring, creating a stretch of self-doubt.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Students in Imam’s classes on the Old and New Testaments do tutorials in his office, reading essays aloud while Imam wears full academic regalia.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Kate Flannery wears an embroidered gown to the Normal premiere with Mary Lynn Rajskub in Los Angeles on April 15.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frays. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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