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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chafe
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Young people have chafed under conservative rule and the stifling of political freedoms.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 June 2025
Ellie, for her part, chafes at his desire to shelter her even as her immunity, and increasing handiness with a gun, gives her an adolescent sense of invincibility.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Carried up to a size 3X and on sale in 10 colors and patterns—including seven neutrals—this tank top has a seamless construction that won’t chafe or dig into you while training, as well as grippers along the inner hem that prevent it from riding up.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Young people have chafed under conservative rule and the stifling of political freedoms.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Thoughtfully designed to include zip pockets to keep your personal items safe and flat seams to reduce chafe, the shorts are well-made.
—Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 June 2025
Ellie, for her part, chafes at his desire to shelter her even as her immunity, and increasing handiness with a gun, gives her an adolescent sense of invincibility.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
A lot of anti-aging skincare contains ingredients like retinol that can be drying and irritating, but Cetaphil has a possible solution.—
Lauren Taylor,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Cold outdoor air plus active heat indoors can pull moisture from both the scalp and hair shaft, which can be irritating.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Adding onto the wear-and-tear element was that Monday’s game was a back-to-back, one caused by Saturday’s matchup being postponed to Sunday after a federal immigration agent shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The suspect is described as a man about six feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and black pants.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In particular, you might be concerned or annoyed about financial issues with a friend or a group.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Here are two habits that often annoy people the most, and reliably signal that a partner is deeply invested in you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His indignation was not sugar coated.—
Essence,
Essence,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Struber laughs at their polite indignation.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lab 102 reports that OrganIQ seek can be applied in nebulization systems for bleaches with strong contrast and abrasion effects.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In a modernist era of abrasion and velocity—the now and the next, chasing each other at warp speed—Reilly offered a work of radical non-provocation.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Still, even some fans of the project were left scratching their heads.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Dip a soft toothbrush into the solution and use it to gently clean grooves, being careful not to bend, compress, or scratch the gasket.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Confidence erodes, even when results look strong.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And there are signs that assumptions about men’s unwillingness to use such products are eroding.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Zamiri doesn’t really bother filming fans rushing Charli’s car or whatever—this has been the quintessential mock-pop-doc scene since A Hard Day’s Night but these days the fans rush you online.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Aquarius' biggest struggle in 2026 Don’t bother trying to control the outcome.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
