GRATES Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

grates

verb

present tense third-person singular of grate

as in annoys

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in scratches

to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sled grated along the bare pavement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in grits

to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound he grated the pieces of metal together

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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 grates There’s the studio version, which has some really interesting production, with Meg’s shuddering percussion that eventually grates and distracts, and Jack’s very chunky guitar. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026 After seasoning the steak, Jade grates cheese as Giada stirs the pasta, accidentally dropping it into the bowl. — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 This beloved Microplane zester is made from stainless steel and designed with a unique tooth set that grates hard spices, citrus, cheeses, and more as smooth as butter. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026 And though Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter's dysfunctional love story still grates, corporate drama and spikes of heart drive the Paramount+ series. — Ew Staff November 14, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025 Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects. — Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grates

Verb

Hotel-booking platform HotelTonight surveyed 447 of its American adult users in June about what annoys them the most during travel.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 July 2026
But Turner is a symbol for everything that annoys people about the Phillies.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of annoys

Verb

Culturally, college football scratches the human itch for tribalism, which America’s ethos of individualism fortunately discourages.

— George F. Will, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
The brand’s Krossa desk scratches the itch for office furniture that isn’t sterile or corporate-looking.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of scratches

Verb

That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal.

— Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways What bothers me most about this scam is that criminals are going after people who may have the fewest options to protect themselves.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bothers

Verb

Achord stands behind Smack each time and, before one kick, rubs his belly with his other hand over his head as some sort of signal.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
But during the following two years, Van Lith saw only gigantic tracks and adrenaline-inspiring antler rubs that had been left behind by the buck of his dreams.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

People should immediately wash cuts and scrapes thoroughly with soap and clean running water after coming in contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, the CDC said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
The tool scrapes third-party sources to compile additional information and context about individual tracks.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Definition of scrapes

Verb

With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
The capsaicin in hot peppers irritates pests and deters them from feeding on plants.

— Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Definition of irritates

Verb

Today, the company has a staff of about 35 and roasts, winnows, and grinds chocolate from scratch at its factory in Somerville.

— Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026
That dust grinds at the wheel bearings and works past the seals.

— Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026