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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of chafe
Judy Berman, Time, 23 May 2025
Sturdy posts at the front of the shoes connect to a flip-flop style design that won’t irritate or chafe your skin, while the supportive insoles are far better-suited for days spent on your feet than flimsy, cheaper sandals.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Add a moisture-wicking, chafe-preventing stick or powder to your routine, like Mega Babe’s Thigh Rescue or old faithful, Gold Bond Body Powder, to sop up excess wetness before discomfort occurs.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Youssef makes Jeff bro-ish enough to hang with this crowd but outsider enough to chafe at its hubris.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 May 2025
Sturdy posts at the front of the shoes connect to a flip-flop style design that won’t irritate or chafe your skin, while the supportive insoles are far better-suited for days spent on your feet than flimsy, cheaper sandals.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
Noun
On This may look like a low impact-worthy set, but the fabric is advanced enough for high-sweat sessions, offering chafe-free support and moisture-wicking capabilities.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Add a moisture-wicking, chafe-preventing stick or powder to your routine, like Mega Babe’s Thigh Rescue or old faithful, Gold Bond Body Powder, to sop up excess wetness before discomfort occurs.
—Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Plus, it’s made without parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which may irritate some skin types.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Eventually, Kartel arrives wearing a suit with his locs braided back.—
Natalie Meade,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
-
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are officially engaged, which should feel vindicating to all those eagle-eyed celebrity news readers who spotted the pop singer wearing a diamond ring on her fourth lefthand finger in a Christmas Eve photo dump last year.—
Riann Phillip,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
The comedy as a second-class sibling to the drama is a notion that has annoyed the people who make television comedies for years.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
7 June 2025
-
In some cases, that will be obvious: You’ll get annoyed by weird or loud noises and odors, notice your energy bill has skyrocketed, or spot signs of a leak.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Editors’ Picks 36 Hours in Rome Living the Slop Life Image Some online commentators have expressed indignation about the online content, saying that the banter about a Catholic leader is offensive.—
Emma Bubola,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
-
As the film progresses, this wide-eyed curiosity shifts to righteous indignation, but these reactions are muddled by her feelings for Basem.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This small step goes a long way in preventing abrasion and preserving the linen’s natural sheen. 5.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
12 June 2025
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For another, the fake arm wouldn’t attest to the abrasions and other wounds the prosecution says prove a strike.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Traditional metrics like likes, shares and views only scratch the surface.—
Jehan Hamedi,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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It is crafted from 100 percent fir wood that’s durable enough to withstand everything from cat scratches to wind gusts.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The persistent issue of greenwashing, where investments are promoted as sustainable without verifiable environmental benefits, has eroded trust and slowed market development.—
Edoardo Francesco Sabatino,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Maryland’s coastlines are eroding at an alarming rate.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Understandably, the online narrative bothered the director as well.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
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Whatever discomfort the 38-year-old was feeling didn’t appear to bother him thereafter.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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