1
2
as in wears
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 annoys
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 angers
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in scratches
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafes
The Know, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
As John's disciplinary hearing draws ever closer, the protagonist increasingly chafes at his attempts to smooth over the situation.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Throughout, emotion churns and chafes against a backdrop of political unrest, corporate malfeasance, and the everyday horrors that erode modern life.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
What follows is an absurd reckoning that mixes surreal humor and domestic drama as Shula chafes against her relatives’ hysterical funeral planning.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
Zwick is such a conventional filmmaker that DiCaprio chafes trying to break out of the Reluctant Hero straitjacket Zwick puts him in.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
The lively, spirited daughter of an Afghani immigrant family chafes against the traditional values of her family and immigrant community.
—The Know, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
As John's disciplinary hearing draws ever closer, the protagonist increasingly chafes at his attempts to smooth over the situation.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Throughout, emotion churns and chafes against a backdrop of political unrest, corporate malfeasance, and the everyday horrors that erode modern life.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
What follows is an absurd reckoning that mixes surreal humor and domestic drama as Shula chafes against her relatives’ hysterical funeral planning.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
Zwick is such a conventional filmmaker that DiCaprio chafes trying to break out of the Reluctant Hero straitjacket Zwick puts him in.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafes
Verb
-
Daisy is caught so off guard that her first reaction is to laugh, which irritates Ben.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Castor Oil Castor oil irritates the digestive system of the moles and makes the soil less inviting to them.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Isabella is thin and tall, and wears high heels and low-cut dresses.—
T. M. Brown,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Prince Harry wears a serious expression with an earpiece at the Kyiv Security Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine on April 23.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Uncle Mo and Forte were late scratches.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Skipping this step—and dragging loose, abrasive particles under a wet cloth—could lead to scratches on your floors.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Others warned holding funding flat without hearing the district’s needs erodes trust and leaves key decisions about staffing, resources and student support happening without transparency.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Inflation erodes the coin’s buying power every year.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
None of that, nor the fact Beckham missed all of 2025, bothers Harbaugh.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Even if their own tax bill is manageable, the idea that the wealthy are underpaying — or that the government is wasting their dollars — bothers many.—
Linley Sanders,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Garments spanning nylon half-zips to French Terry sweatshirts, garments look faded and worn-in and feature hallmarks of denim like whiskers, creases, abrasions and breakages that tell stories of time and use.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Additional skin abrasions are noted, though the medical examiner could not determine the causes because of the severe decomposition of the body.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The coalition of supporters frays Still another issue is conflict within the legalization movement itself, particularly between the business and activist wings.—
William Garriott,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Chafes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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