as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in eroded
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of frayed
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar named the key ministers for his new government who will help shoulder the task of repairing frayed European ties and relaunching a stagnant economy.
—Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
That means firm greens, a fast course and frayed nerves.
—Doug Ferguson, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
After six months of backpacking, Martha was feeling very Taoist, very detached, just a big naked eyeball wandering around, absorbing all the astonishing things there were to see at the frayed edges of a defunct feudal empire.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Together, these ingredients temporarily seal the cuticle, minimizing the look of frayed ends without leaving behind that dreaded crunchy feeling.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Election victor Péter Magyar, a former Orbán loyalist who campaigned against corruption and on everyday issues like health care and public transport, has pledged to rebuild Hungary’s relationships with the European Union and NATO — ties that frayed under Orbán.
—Justin Spike, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
The internal notice came after City Council members already saw a 3% cut to their spending across ward offices and committees this year and last year, both following challenging budget cycles that frayed relationships between aldermen and the mayor’s office.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The veil between character and self has frayed — bad behavior, even onstage, carries a frisson of shameful unease.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
But sports ties between North and South Korea have suffered as political relations frayed.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Together, Kelly and the queen made a brilliant team, only rarely falling out when tempers frayed.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
But that sense of belonging has frayed.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
As the alerts frayed the nerves of residents, and the air defense system proved its mettle, the UAE authorities changed their approach.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The star of The Devil Wears Prada 2 stepped out in New York City wearing a pair of light blue baggy jeans with frayed hems.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar named the key ministers for his new government who will help shoulder the task of repairing frayed European ties and relaunching a stagnant economy.
—Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
That means firm greens, a fast course and frayed nerves.
—Doug Ferguson, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
After six months of backpacking, Martha was feeling very Taoist, very detached, just a big naked eyeball wandering around, absorbing all the astonishing things there were to see at the frayed edges of a defunct feudal empire.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Together, these ingredients temporarily seal the cuticle, minimizing the look of frayed ends without leaving behind that dreaded crunchy feeling.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The coalition of supporters that made this strategy work has frayed, and new research is raising concerns about the health impact of regular cannabis use.
—William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Election victor Péter Magyar, a former Orbán loyalist who campaigned against corruption and on everyday issues like health care and public transport, has pledged to rebuild Hungary’s relationships with the European Union and NATO — ties that frayed under Orbán.
—Justin Spike, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
The internal notice came after City Council members already saw a 3% cut to their spending across ward offices and committees this year and last year, both following challenging budget cycles that frayed relationships between aldermen and the mayor’s office.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The veil between character and self has frayed — bad behavior, even onstage, carries a frisson of shameful unease.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
But sports ties between North and South Korea have suffered as political relations frayed.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Together, Kelly and the queen made a brilliant team, only rarely falling out when tempers frayed.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
But that sense of belonging has frayed.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
As the alerts frayed the nerves of residents, and the air defense system proved its mettle, the UAE authorities changed their approach.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
Adjective
-
For Chicago, the shocking crimes are noteworthy contributors to its tattered national reputation — fair or not — for being unsafe and for criminal-justice policies perceived as being concerned more with the rights of those accused than the interests of those victimized.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Untrained soldiers were shoeless and wore tattered clothes.—
Amanda Rosa
Updated April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the process, however, one of the big distinguishing aspects of TV – the large audiences who once assembled to watch dramas, sitcoms and reality shows – has eroded.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At some point, however, those buffers will start to get eroded — especially if higher fuel costs start showing up in household staple goods.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If the edges look ragged with tan or white tips, your mower blade is at fault.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
-
So, the books around it sparkle on the shelf, and this book alone is old and ragged.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Melania wore a double-breasted crepe suit from American designer Adam Lippes, who also designed her navy-and-ivory ensemble for the president's second inauguration ceremony last year.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Princess Kate, 44, wore a navy coat dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (her bridal gown designer) with white lapels and a matching navy Jane Taylor hat, completing the look with a poignant poppy pin, navy pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a mini DeMellier handbag.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jenner opted to wear a pair of faded yellow jeans, a Guizio white tank top and a belly chain.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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