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
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Over time, though, this newfound celebrity began to chafe against the show’s establishing constraints.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Consumers have chafed at some of the company’s integration of ESPN Unlimited, which is relying on cable providers to grant access to their subscribers and is absorbing some content that used to be available at no additional cost to traditional ESPN+ subscribers.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Over time, though, this newfound celebrity began to chafe against the show’s establishing constraints.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Since many pregnant and postpartum women either struggle with or are recovering from a weak immune system, even germs from sources as innocuous as a bidet can prove irritating.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
What’s more, the leaves contain oils that, when burned, irritate our airways.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Richins, wearing a white blouse with pale blue and peach-colored flowers on it, looked down and began breathing heavily when the verdict was announced.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Police and David’s family say that David, a sophomore at Sequoia High in Redwood City, had no gang ties and was wearing the jacket to celebrate Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend, who wore a pink hoodie that night.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Asked if that would annoy and possibly anger Texas Republicans who backed Paxton, Minchillo said.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Still, the loss of 4K support will no doubt annoy streamers.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those calls have been met with eye-rolling and righteous indignation.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But this indignation ignores what Chalamet was actually saying.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Get Tough Purchase ones made from cowhide, goatskin, or pigskin leather or abrasion-resistant canvas that will be harder for thorns to penetrate.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Luckily for Martin, Kinzalow hopped in the driver's seat and slammed on the brakes, and Martin survived despite severe back injuries and abrasions to his extremities.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After going down two goals, the Galaxy scratched back on an 82nd-minute goal by Marco Reus.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The 23-year-old middle infielder was due to start at second base but was scratched with left knee soreness.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Heidi was pioneering how reality TV could turn old news into melodrama, eroding any distance between entertainment and fact.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Billions in valuation have eroded since last summer’s peak, even as the new pilot program offers a faster route to limited operations.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a few days before Sonya disappeared, something was bothering her, her mother said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The sidewalk was bustling, but no one even bothered to rubberneck.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
