1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grate
The trauma has stuck with Eleanor ever since, making her relationship with her mother tense because Eleanor had to grow up fast, and her mother’s anxiety over everything grated on Eleanor.
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Backyard barbecues may be fun, but cleaning sticky grill grates—not so much.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2025
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using, or grate and use straight from the freezer for the flakiest biscuits, pie dough, and more.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Five days of chauffeuring will likely grate on you.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Backyard barbecues may be fun, but cleaning sticky grill grates—not so much.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2025
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using, or grate and use straight from the freezer for the flakiest biscuits, pie dough, and more.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Five days of chauffeuring will likely grate on you.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grate
Verb
-
Bankrate also recently released a survey showing that 38% are annoyed by pre-entered tip screens at coffee shops, food trucks, etc.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The situation was a fairly familiar story for any community where industry is close to homes: The operations of the business began to annoy residents, and patience ran out as months went by without an answer.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Don't scratch: A healing tattoo may be itchy, but resist the urge to scratch.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Others shared clever ways to scratch the itch of shopping without actually spending any money.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Consider Alex’s final audition — a now-iconic sequence that collapses grit and glam into a single, pulsating montage.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 July 2025
-
Chelsea showed character and grit and were worthy of their victory.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
If a body is here, whoever buried it didn’t bother digging deep, because there’s no fear of getting caught.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The article includes a fancy-looking formula central to the algorithm, but the formula is nearly impossible to decipher since the authors didn’t bother to explain half the symbols in it.—
Noah Giansiracusa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, 132 remains also had exhibited cut marks including slicing, scraping, and chopping.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The small, sharp stone fragments used as tools were likely fashioned from larger pebbles in nearby riverbeds, and they were probably used for cutting or scraping, Brumm said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As Venus irritates Pluto, exploring an office entanglement might not be a good idea!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
-
In fact, vitamin C, chemical exfoliants (like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid), and retinol shouldn’t be used together all at once, since this combination can irritate and inflame the skin (including your existing hyperpigmentation).—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
To apply, the brand recommends rubbing a small amount in an upward motion on the neck to best combat sagging.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Just be sure not to rub it in too much—doing so can dull the scent’s staying power.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The characters muse about the extreme likelihood that their apartments have been bugged.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
-
That question also bugs the folks at The Utility Reform Network.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share