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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abrasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafe
Jamie Ballard, Allure, 17 Dec. 2024
Barry Jenkins is a 21st century auteur, full stop, and such artists tend to either noticeably chafe against the limitations of working for hire or manage to slyly subvert the system from within.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024
The test of their model will be its ability to restrain a growing capitalist class that often chafes against the overweening power of the state bureaucracy.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for chafe 
Verb
This anti-chafe cream is particularly popular among athletes who use it to stop chafing on thighs, torsos, arms, and anywhere else on the body.
—Jamie Ballard, Allure, 17 Dec. 2024
Barry Jenkins is a 21st century auteur, full stop, and such artists tend to either noticeably chafe against the limitations of working for hire or manage to slyly subvert the system from within.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
But for much of the show, Abigail serves as the primary narrator, and her delivery chafes.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024
The test of their model will be its ability to restrain a growing capitalist class that often chafes against the overweening power of the state bureaucracy.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for chafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafe
Verb
-
The 2020 recall came eight years after Fitbit recalled its Fitbit Force activity-tracking wristband after the company received roughly 9,900 reports of the wristband irritating skin and 250 reports of blistering.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Double-cleansing mature skin involves two non-stripping formulas to thoroughly cleanse without compromising hydration or irritating delicate skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Puff sleeves instantly dress up any outfit, and wearing the detail in sweater form is practical for winter weather.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The superstar took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday (Jan. 23) to share a video wearing headphones while sitting at what appears to be a studio desk, before grabbing the phone and turning it around to reveal the screen in front of her, blocking its contents with a red heart emoji.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Patrice O’Neal did a wonderful job of being annoyed.—
Mikey O'Connell,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
-
As the two moved through the scenes like a pair of tragic jesters, delighting the wide-eyed and annoying the cynics.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Though this caused quite the chaos and indignation in the industry, in 2016 Rossellini once again accepted the invitation to be their spokesmodel and muse.—
Stacia Datskovska,
WWD,
5 Jan. 2025
-
While this also made headlines and spurred indignation, AI’s environmental impacts are still far from being common knowledge.—
Sasha Luccioni,
WIRED,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Less abrasion on the surface helps denim maintain its color.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2025
-
The draft – which places a limit on particulate emissions from brake abrasion of 3-11 mg per kilometre per vehicle – was adopted by the European Union countries, as well as eight others.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The plan had been for Del Mastro and Allan to pair up against the Lightning, but Seth Jones was scratched before the game because of illness.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
-
After all, a quick logline — two friends grow addicted to the heroin-esque touch of an alien and end up in a throuple with him — doesn’t even scratch at the surface of the genre-bending horror-comedy.—
William Earl,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This shift has eroded our industrial base, closing factories, costing jobs and weakening domestic production.—
Matthew Putman,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Some market watchers said such moves would help weaken the dollar, bolstering exports and eroding America’s huge trade deficit, a point of frustration for Trump.—
Andrew Ross Sorkin,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Theresa’s nose has been bothering her and one of her children has asthma.—
Simmone Shah,
TIME,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Ludvig Aberg, who shared the second-round lead with Griffin, was bothered by illness throughout the round.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near chafe
Cite this Entry
“Chafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafe. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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