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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in abrasion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafe
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
But lawmakers who chafed at being pushed around by the inflexible governor’s demands for the past eight years found their backbone just in time to do the wrong thing.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Brian Higgins, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
What follows is an absurd reckoning that mixes surreal humor and domestic drama as Shula chafes against her relatives’ hysterical funeral planning.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
But others have chafed at his involvement and his frequent veto threats.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
But lawmakers who chafed at being pushed around by the inflexible governor’s demands for the past eight years found their backbone just in time to do the wrong thing.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Noun
Smartwool takes those comforts a step further with the Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew, incorporating chafe-free seams and a body-contouring fit.
—Brian Higgins, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
What follows is an absurd reckoning that mixes surreal humor and domestic drama as Shula chafes against her relatives’ hysterical funeral planning.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
But one snafu irritated a sizable portion of the more than 3,000 students gathered at Arie Crown Theater to hear the astronauts discuss their mission.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
Health officials say the gas can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and may be especially troublesome for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
When a group of six fans wearing white t-shirts with the pre-revolution flag emblazoned on the fronts tried to enter, they were stopped by a security staffer, who called over her supervisor.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
One of the more common ways bear encounters escalate is when an off-leash dog runs toward a bear, annoys it, and then comes sprinting back to its owner with an angry predator in pursuit.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
And get annoyed when people spell it wrong anyway?—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to go after a beloved climate activist.—
Brittany Peterson,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
Others use their out-of-office emails to either apologize profusely for time away or highlight their indignation at being tied to work or the internet in the first place.—
Isabel Fattal,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Why This Matters for Cornea Healing Traumatic ocular surface injuries affect more than 1 million Americans each year, and severe dry eye disease and corneal abrasions affect millions more.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
Washing inside out also helps prevent color loss from abrasion, which can leave dark colors looking faded.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The Pirates scratched the winning run across against Anthony Bender (1-1), who got in a jam after getting the first two outs of the inning.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
-
Widow’s Bay manages to scratch the same itch as recent idiosyncratic horror offerings like Evil and Castle Rock, municipal comedies like Parks and Recreation, and quaint small-town BritBox mysteries.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The oil supply shock caused by the Iran war has eroded global demand for crude — but a lasting resolution to the conflict could drive a surge in supply volumes and trigger a major oil overhang next year, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
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As retailers race to modernize their stores, a new report from Coresight Research reveals a rapidly shifting business landscape beneath their feet, where inefficiencies are eroding profits.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
People can decide for themselves whether Wembanyama’s anthem conduct bothers them.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
But at the same time, the people that are bothering me are showing us love.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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