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
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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
Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
When that web frays, ecosystems lose their ability to store carbon and produce food, water, and oxygen, while withstanding climate stress.
—Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
Do not keep performing control while the process frays.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The social fabric of Paradise, meanwhile, frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one and new secrets are uncovered about the city’s origins.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
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
When cultural identity frays, advice subtly changes in tone.
—Marc Cooper, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
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
Noun
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill at least 16 people as a new ceasefire with Hezbollah frays.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
When that web frays, ecosystems lose their ability to store carbon and produce food, water, and oxygen, while withstanding climate stress.
—Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
Do not keep performing control while the process frays.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The social fabric of Paradise, meanwhile, frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one and new secrets are uncovered about the city’s origins.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
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
When cultural identity frays, advice subtly changes in tone.
—Marc Cooper, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 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
Verb
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frays
Noun
-
The sequence required full-scale versions of Corlys’ (Steve Trussaint) and Lohar’s (Abigail Thorn) ships to be built and usable on both a dry tank and wet tank, thousands of gallons of water and extras and, naturally, numerous CGI dragon fights requiring mechanical bucks.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
22 June 2026
-
At 31, Moises concludes his UFC tenure with an 8-8 record over 16 fights, having faced recent struggles with three losses in his last four outings, including consecutive defeats.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Social interactions may stir up complicated feelings when the Libra moon clashes with Mercury.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Such brawls can ignite without warning, and are among the reasons humans are forbidden by county law to get within 50 feet of the horses.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
-
Kennywood, a nearly 130-year-old amusement park outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is tightening its summer chaperon policy as parks around the country experience violent brawls and unruly teen crowds heading into the heart of the season.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Clarity builds trust; ambiguity erodes it.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
People leave, culture erodes, the playbook changes faster than management can rewrite it, and so the edge slips to newcomers.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Prices of essential goods have soared and many people have lost their jobs, with millions now at risk of falling into poverty amid widespread economic struggles.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
Not by putting anyone on blast and not by outing anyone’s struggles, but by keeping the burden of truth squarely on my shoulders.—
Ali Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 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
-
Farrell, who also narrates in a soft voice, often wears a look of shy incomprehension, as if a beat behind in translating the world around him, a stranger in a strange land.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Non-inverter ACs feature simpler parts that are cheaper and easier to fix, but the stop-start cycle wears the mechanical parts out faster, so these air conditioners are more prone to frequent repairs and tend to have a shorter lifespan.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frays. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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