as in eroding
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fraying
Israel and Iran also traded attacks in recent days, further threatening a fraying ceasefire.
—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Repairing the country’s fraying social ties will be a challenge.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
And with the existing safety net of services fraying as never before, our work is more important than ever.
—
Deidre Johnson,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
For the last few years, he’s been mired in a complex web of mounting fees and permit nightmares, getting punted back and forth between city departments like a fraying football.
—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraying
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Repairing the country’s fraying social ties will be a challenge.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
And with the existing safety net of services fraying as never before, our work is more important than ever.
—
Deidre Johnson,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
For the last few years, he’s been mired in a complex web of mounting fees and permit nightmares, getting punted back and forth between city departments like a fraying football.
—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraying
Verb
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Each new channel brings new risk of eroding consumer trust if it’s not carefully managed.
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But experts and users warn that technology risks eroding authenticity and chemistry at the heart of real-world relationships.
Verb
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He was last seen wearing a light green shirt, camouflage shorts and white socks.
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Murdaugh’s team initially asked that he be allowed to come to all court appearances, including pretrial hearings, wearing civilian clothes and unshackled.
Cite this Entry
“Fraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraying. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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