1
as in battle
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 skirmish
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 brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention
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as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fray
Matt Reigle Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2026
The Chicago Outfit entered the fray in 1955, taking control of the Riviera hotel and casino.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
New York was broke, fraying at the edges and dangerous in ways that became part of its mythology.
—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
But amid the festivities, a newlywed couple, their wedding party and their photographer got caught in the fray.
—
Matt Reigle Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2026
The Chicago Outfit entered the fray in 1955, taking control of the Riviera hotel and casino.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Verb
And that net of community health workers who serve as links between families and this lifesaving treatment is fraying.
—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
New York was broke, fraying at the edges and dangerous in ways that became part of its mythology.
—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
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True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
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There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
Noun
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The skirmishes date back to shortly after Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in July 2022.
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Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral.
Noun
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Thirteen players, including four Australians, are ejected for their part in the brawl.
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The Red Sox and Nationals turned a regular June game into the biggest baseball brawl of the season after Boston hothead Willson Contreras completely lost it.
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.
Noun
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Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.
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Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.
Noun
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With Brazil’s upcoming clash with Norway providing another physical challenge in the blistering New Jersey heat, is Casemiro a help or hindrance to his team?
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Your 3rd House of Communication tightens as the vibrant Sun activates it and clashes with restrictive Saturn in your 12th House of Solitude.
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.
Noun
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What is clear is that centrist Democrats haven’t mounted much of a fight.
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Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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