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
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Recent Examples of chafe
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
To further create a secure feel, the shoe is also made with a plush heel collar and tongue that lock you in without chafing against your feet.
—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Afterward, he was asked about race and politics almost exclusively, a narrowing of his work that often chafed.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
To further create a secure feel, the shoe is also made with a plush heel collar and tongue that lock you in without chafing against your feet.
—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
Avoid potentially irritating actives Immediately after shaving is not the time to reach for your strongest skin-care products.
-
While some of my linen pieces feel scratchy, this one is ultra soft and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.
Verb
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But on Wednesday, the day after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to secure its fourth consecutive World Cup victory, the fan and his wife, Angélica Arias, walked to the plaza wearing two identical caps.
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And even though Georgia law does not require this, all cyclists and scooterists should wear helmets.
Verb
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Paraguay’s tactics, seeking to frustrate and disrupt France, had annoyed Henry as well as the current team and coach.
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Others are annoyed that its ambiguous language will create confusion over how — or if — the state will enforce compliance.
Noun
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The video went viral, encapsulating the prevalent mood of indignation about official nonaction.
-
He was deservedly sent off after a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi, before grabbing the referee’s arm and tossing it to the side in indignation.
Noun
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The officer suffered fractured ribs, abrasions and bruising and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment, police said.
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Standardized fabric-durability tests measure how many abrasion cycles a fabric withstands before showing wear, and textile-testing services could use them to estimate garment longevity and generate CPW labels next to the price.
Verb
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Some scratches early in this past season led to reports of Mintyukov requesting a trade, but the smooth-skating blueliner improved his play and settled in on Anaheim’s second defense pairing.
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In a game not known for high scores, the pace of goals in this World Cup has left some fans scratching their heads.
Verb
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But Koppl traced a distinctly American lineage through a chain of precedents dating back more than 50 years, each one further eroding the market discipline that profit-and-loss accountability is supposed to provide.
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Moscow says the strike was retaliation for Ukraine’s 40-day campaign on Russian oil refineries and supply lines, which has fueled shortages, hit Crimea and eroded battlefield momentum.
Verb
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Playing against such younger competition doesn’t bother Crawford.
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Install Fencing If all deterrents fail and snakes continue to bother you, consider installing a 2- to 3-foot fence around your property.
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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