1
2
as in eroded
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 annoyed
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafed
During a video conference call Tuesday, the Texas women’s basketball coach glowed about his club’s offensive prowess but chafed over a question about its suspect 3-point shooting and lamented the team’s turnovers and toughness deficiency.
—
Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Jan. 2026
In 2023, the writer Patricia Lockwood chafed at Wallace’s supposed sainthood in a long piece for the London Review of Books.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, Emanuel chafed at the idea that those experiences would dampen enthusiasm for his future educational plans.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Young people have chafed under conservative rule and the stifling of political freedoms.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The state’s changes to the rates chafed some local districts’ officials, including fire districts that fretted about affording equipment and firefighters as risks from wildfires loomed large year-round.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Raised by conservative Catholic parents, Bardot chafed against her upbringing.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
The elder Buckley was never a part of his son’s life and Jeff Buckley chafed at any comparisons between them.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Mamdani and other Democrats who won a bevy of elections this month had focused relentlessly on affordability — a word that Trump has chafed at, while insisting that prices are broadly down already.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Jan. 2026
In 2023, the writer Patricia Lockwood chafed at Wallace’s supposed sainthood in a long piece for the London Review of Books.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, Emanuel chafed at the idea that those experiences would dampen enthusiasm for his future educational plans.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Young people have chafed under conservative rule and the stifling of political freedoms.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The state’s changes to the rates chafed some local districts’ officials, including fire districts that fretted about affording equipment and firefighters as risks from wildfires loomed large year-round.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Raised by conservative Catholic parents, Bardot chafed against her upbringing.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
The elder Buckley was never a part of his son’s life and Jeff Buckley chafed at any comparisons between them.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Mamdani and other Democrats who won a bevy of elections this month had focused relentlessly on affordability — a word that Trump has chafed at, while insisting that prices are broadly down already.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafed
Verb
-
For a long time your political cartoons published in the editorial pages have irritated me.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For years, the LDP has been weighed down by election losses, stubborn inflation and political scandals, which have eroded public trust even as its new leader’s popularity surges.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Critics, however, countered that Kamau's political identity does not exempt him from basic legal standards and that the case was one of several controversies that eroded confidence in his administration.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As frustrating Saturn arrives in your 3rd House of Communication, you might be annoyed that others seem to misread you.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Betts gazed back with angst, momentarily annoyed with her coach.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pavel Mintyukov, defenseman, B Olen Zellweger, defenseman, B Mintyukov was scratched for a stint and Zellweger has seen his power-play usage halved year-over-year.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Over time, plastic containers can become scratched, stained, or damaged, and that starts to pose a food safety risk, explains Dragomir Markovic, food scientist and founder of Wise Intake.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cody Powers said that his mother wore State Farm sweatshirts and T-shirts and entered every promotion the company offered.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Complex magazine also reported that the number may have served as a tribute to the singer's late uncle, who wore 64 as a football player.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Something that bothered Rick was confidence or anything that whiffed of overt masculinity.—
Margy Rochlin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But Watson hasn’t been bothered by the challenge of taking on older players.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The rapper said he is committed and dedicated to repairing relationships frayed by his alleged manic episodes.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, Ladinig says Pierre Haobsh bugged Henry Han's computer with a spyware app called a keylogger.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Feeling good Weathers has been bugged by several injuries over the last few years.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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