1
2
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant stepping on a rope will gradually chafe it, rendering it unsafe for rock climbing
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
nothing chafes us so much as those telemarketers who call during the dinner hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in indignation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abrasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafe
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
Every president since then has chafed against the system in one way or the other, but the Congress and the public have repeatedly deemed this a good thing.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
Floyd instantly chafes at the hierarchies imposed in Jay’s household, and when the island is cut off from ferries and grocery stores are closed, the mansion becomes dependent on its cook to provide.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
The audience for his sometimes extreme views exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Americans chafed at the government shutdown measures and vaccine mandates even though those measures prevented countless deaths.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
Every president since then has chafed against the system in one way or the other, but the Congress and the public have repeatedly deemed this a good thing.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
And what good would modernity really do for a woman whose lifeforce so violently chafes against patriarchal control?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
Floyd instantly chafes at the hierarchies imposed in Jay’s household, and when the island is cut off from ferries and grocery stores are closed, the mansion becomes dependent on its cook to provide.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
The second walk irritated the pitcher, as home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman’s ball four call on a 3-2 count appeared incorrect.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2025
-
If not properly diluted, vinegar's acidity can irritate your throat or erode tooth enamel over time.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Tobacco smoking, not wearing seatbelts and riding motorcycles can reduce years from your healthspan.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
-
On April 16, the former Disney star stepped out in Los Angeles wearing the quintessential millennial-outfit formula.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
-
In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
It’s made with three layers, including an inner tube that’s drinking water safe, a middle layer that adds strength, and an outermost layer that’s UV, mold, and abrasion resistant.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2025
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One person is believed to have suffered a leg fracture and at least a dozen people were treated on-scene for minor abrasions.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Some people may have been scratching their heads when kids started screaming and crying after seeing a pig wearing a crown; With zombie pig men and skeleton archers riding spiders, why would this specific creature elicit such a guttural reaction?—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Patrick Golz purchased a pair of $1,000,000 Gold Rush tickets, worth $50 each, and won the $1 million grand prize after scratching the second ticket, the Virginia Lottery said in an April 8 news release.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The next mayor must understand that car supremacy cuts into public space, threatens public safety, and erodes the public’s quality of life — just ask the families of 121 pedestrians who were crushed to death by motor vehicles last year, mostly while trying to get from one curb to another.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
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These experiences can erode an individual’s sense of integrity and purpose.—
Jason Walker PsyD,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
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So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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