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
Abe Streep,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
This new life chafes my husband more than me.
—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Verb
Five current and former Forest Service officials say Bridger Aerospace has chafed at the agency’s rigorous inspections, even as records and sources indicate the company has presented aircraft in need of maintenance and repairs as ready to fight fires.
—
Abe Streep,
ProPublica,
9 June 2026
This new life chafes my husband more than me.
—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
Smartwool takes those comforts a step further with the Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew, incorporating chafe-free seams and a body-contouring fit.
—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
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But for those who just want to grab a bite or see a movie at the IMAX theater, the security protocol is an additional — possibly irritating — barrier.
-
Carpet shampoos often have a strong fragrance, which can irritate those sensitive to scent.
Verb
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The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
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The key to modernizing the pinkish-orange color in 2026 is to wear it in loose, easy silhouettes.
Verb
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Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.
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Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.
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
-
The officer suffered fractured ribs, abrasions and bruising and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment, police said.
-
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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In April, when Rojas got news that his father had been rushed to the hospital, Roberts quickly took the decision on whether to play out of Rojas’ hands, scratching him from the lineup.
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New York scratched across two more runs in the 10th, taking advantage of another throwing error by Abreu after Rosario's sinking liner squirted out of his glove for an RBI single.
Verb
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That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
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Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Verb
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For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
-
What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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