1
as in fights
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in clashes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brawls
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in erodes
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
Synonyms & Similar 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 frays
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Moschino presented pleated jeans with carrot-shape legs and jeans outlined with frays.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of Season 1, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
The link between the state and the public frays, power concentrates in the hands of the few and institutions are hollowed out.
—Maria Mendiluce, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
To stitch is to count days, to hold what frays, to choose tenderness as method and message.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Old frictions become new frays in the very first episode as Norma (Burnett) and Linda, née Penelope (Dern), collide in a tête-à-tête dispensing new secrets and poignant credos after the explosive season one finale that left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot and Linda cuffed.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Why do buyers see frays and stains as signatures of value?
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The voting dispute is among a series of frays between the state and Huntington Beach, a coastal community of 193,000 with policies and ideology that contrast with those in much of deep-blue California.
—Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Nov. 2025
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
The blend of pea proteins, baobab seed oil, and hydrolyzed quinoa work to reinvigorate strands from the inside out, sealing any breakage and preventing new frays.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Moschino presented pleated jeans with carrot-shape legs and jeans outlined with frays.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of Season 1, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
The link between the state and the public frays, power concentrates in the hands of the few and institutions are hollowed out.
—Maria Mendiluce, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
To stitch is to count days, to hold what frays, to choose tenderness as method and message.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Old frictions become new frays in the very first episode as Norma (Burnett) and Linda, née Penelope (Dern), collide in a tête-à-tête dispensing new secrets and poignant credos after the explosive season one finale that left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot and Linda cuffed.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Why do buyers see frays and stains as signatures of value?
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The voting dispute is among a series of frays between the state and Huntington Beach, a coastal community of 193,000 with policies and ideology that contrast with those in much of deep-blue California.
—Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frays
Noun
-
Privatized airports avoided long shutdown waits Privatizing airport security, some in the business argue, makes airport workers and travelers less vulnerable to becoming pawns in congressional fights over policy issues.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Privatization could help remove TSA from congressional funding fights.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While on-ice brawls are nothing new in professional ice hockey, flying fisticuffs have a history in the police and fireman face off from years past.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Avs and Stars haven’t had games devolve into all-out brawls like Tampa Bay and Florida have.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When people fear being replaced or don’t know what’s coming, trust erodes.—
Michael Bush,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Others contend that legitimizing him erodes Democratic credibility on antisemitism and other issues, handing Republicans ammunition heading into the midterms.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The committee will share the information with parents and staff on which campuses would be closed and more details on consolidation amid increasing financial struggles.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As Minnesota's Medicaid program broils in the hot seat over a recent round of federal fraud indictments, Indiana's Medicaid program is gaining national attention as a counter-example for its efforts to crack down on program eligibility and waste.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
29 Dec. 2025
-
This Ninja air-fries, roasts, broils, bakes, and dehydrates—all while using about 80 percent less energy than a regular oven.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The figure set for the Orlando location wears a suit inspired by Liu’s look at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Per tradition, Camilla also wears a Welsh gold band.—
Jessica Gibbs,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frays. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
