abrasive

1 of 2

adjective

abra·sive ə-ˈbrā-siv

-ziv

Synonyms of abrasive next

: causing damage, wear, or removal of surface material by grinding or rubbing : tending to abrade

abrasive compounds for whitening teeth

an abrasive surface

: causing irritation

abrasive manners

an abrasive personality

abrasively adverb

abrasiveness noun

abrasive

2 of 2

noun

: a substance (such as emery or pumice) used for abrading, smoothing, or polishing

used an abrasive for polishing the rough stones

Example Sentences

Adjective The waves had an abrasive action on the rocks. an abrasive display of rude behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

However, The Polish felt a little abrasive and didn't completely remove all of our dead skin in one go. —

Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023 These products are often too abrasive for stainless steel and can damage the surface of pans. —

Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 15 Mar. 2023 Returning in 2017 with the bold, bracing Plunge, Dreijer channeled the record’s abrasive, club-ready beats and candid lyrics into a character best described as a pure pleasure seeker with a predilection for kink. —

Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2023 Ultimately, Nora’s abrasive edges are exposed as a painfully thin armor, which makes the unraveling of her security cut deeper — both for the character herself and for the audience. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023 The Luzern Signature Force de Vie facial treatment, newly offered at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago by K’Alma, resets your skin by utilizing Swiss Alpine Organics, which hydrates the skin without being too harsh or abrasive. —

Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023 Every Single Time Rice water also contains gently abrasive elements that can help remove stuck-on grime. —

Hollyanna Mccollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2023 Show it some love (and get rid of the mildew lurking under the cap) with a weekly scrub with this bottle brush, which has a combination of gentle and abrasive bristles that’ll target all the nooks and crannies. —

Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 16 Feb. 2023 However, toothbrush bristles are designed for the teeth, which may be too abrasive for the tongue. —

Lacey Muinos, Health, 23 Jan. 2023

Noun

Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and has been used as an industrial abrasive. —

Mark Thiessen, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Mar. 2023 The Toothpaste Bits do claim to naturally whiten the teeth thanks to calcium carbonate (a mild abrasive to polish the surface). —

Emily Algar, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 Instead, the formula uses hydrated silica as a mild abrasive, plus xylitol to ward off plaque buildup. —

Sam Peters, ELLE, 21 Jan. 2023 Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that cleans surfaces without scratching. —

Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2021 The tool has three sides, each with a different abrasive that’s designed for dry sharpening. —

Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, 23 Feb. 2021 While the abrasive also has a big impact, slow-speed air sanders tend to bog down on softer surfaces like wood. —

Bob Beacham, chicagotribune.com, 12 Sep. 2020 Stubborn marks may need a gentle abrasive that won't scratch off paint finishes. —

Sara Rodrigues, House Beautiful, 7 Aug. 2020 When using a whitening toothpaste, always be sure to apply it with a soft or extra-soft bristled toothbrush to help counter the harsh abrasives in the paste that scrub off stains, says Sammadar. —

Brittany Loggins, Health.com, 22 Apr. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abrasive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.