1
: worn or shredded at the ends or edges
frayed jeans
A long line of scared-looking first years entered, led by Professor McGonagall, who was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard's hat, heavily patched and darned with a wide rip near the frayed brim.—
J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling2
: damaged, weakened, or worn down by strain or irritation
frayed nerves/tempers
He vanished underground for a time, and when he reappeared he had retired from pimping. But he was still dealing drugs, and in his frayed state he was losing his half-step edge on the law.—Peter Goldman
Peter GoldmanThe draconian measures drew widespread condemnation in Europe and further strained the already frayed relations between Pretoria and Washington …—Mark Whitaker
Mark WhitakerExamples of frayed in a Sentence
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Recent Examples on the Web
The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
After six months of backpacking, Martha was feeling very Taoist, very detached, just a big naked eyeball wandering around, absorbing all the astonishing things there were to see at the frayed edges of a defunct feudal empire.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Together, these ingredients temporarily seal the cuticle, minimizing the look of frayed ends without leaving behind that dreaded crunchy feeling.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Back then, gaming gear meant a sticky controller with a frayed wire and a TV that hummed louder than the game itself.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
The smooth glass finish helps prevent snagging and frayed edges, which means less breakage and longer-lasting polish.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
The shredded sleeves of her Ashi Studio gown, frayed edges of her Dilara Findikoglu dress, trompe-l’oeil of her Margiela, fabric twists of her Roberto Cavalli, and shaggy accents of her vintage John Galliano are key touch-points.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Yeoh's frayed satin Dior shift included a leaf print and delicate draping.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 18 Feb. 2026
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Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
After six months of backpacking, Martha was feeling very Taoist, very detached, just a big naked eyeball wandering around, absorbing all the astonishing things there were to see at the frayed edges of a defunct feudal empire.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Together, these ingredients temporarily seal the cuticle, minimizing the look of frayed ends without leaving behind that dreaded crunchy feeling.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Back then, gaming gear meant a sticky controller with a frayed wire and a TV that hummed louder than the game itself.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
The smooth glass finish helps prevent snagging and frayed edges, which means less breakage and longer-lasting polish.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
The shredded sleeves of her Ashi Studio gown, frayed edges of her Dilara Findikoglu dress, trompe-l’oeil of her Margiela, fabric twists of her Roberto Cavalli, and shaggy accents of her vintage John Galliano are key touch-points.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Yeoh's frayed satin Dior shift included a leaf print and delicate draping.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frayed. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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