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
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Recent Examples of chafe
Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 28 Mar. 2025
So uncap this stick, glide it, and bid adieu to that dreaded chafe.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Mar. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
To me, an American woman in the early 21st century, prickly and free-spirited Lady Murasaki now appears to have been chafing under conformist pressures in the Heian court.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Then, the rotten cherry on top: my lightweight pack, overburdened with water and ill-equipped for the task, created a patch of chafe that eventually bloomed into an open wound.
—Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 28 Mar. 2025
So uncap this stick, glide it, and bid adieu to that dreaded chafe.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
Stigwood chafed at making anything less than a gritty film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
To me, an American woman in the early 21st century, prickly and free-spirited Lady Murasaki now appears to have been chafing under conformist pressures in the Heian court.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Generally, mineral sunscreens are beloved by dermatologists for not irritating sensitive skin, the way chemical sunscreens can.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Too many or poorly timed nudges irritate users.—
Prithvi Singh Shergill,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So…are the long-wearing claims actually true?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The Body After detectives discovered Rivas’ body, a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner described her as a female with wavy black hair wearing a tube top and black leggings, size small, as well as yellow metal-stud earrings and a yellow metal-chain bracelet.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Don't push sales and annoy people.—
Nitin Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Comments about my fast walk annoy me.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And rather than indignation or rage or fury, what comes through in the letters is his sheer amazement at being in this predicament.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But reacting with indignation has not been an option for Lee.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Plus, it’s made of an abrasion-resistant blend of recycled nylon and elastane.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Tyson, who suffered an arm abrasion in the incident, will be booked once he is released from the hospital, Sanders said.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That 133-page City audit barely scratched the surface of the overall dysfunction at the City’s animal shelter.—
Michael Wagner,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But these figures only scratch the surface of Nepal’s deep economic problems, which include pervasive vulnerable employment – informal and insecure work that is prone to poor conditions and pay – and limited opportunities that constrain long-term productivity.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This takes two seconds, and she doesn’t get bothered at all.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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