Synonyms of chafe

chafe 1 of 2

verb

ˈchāf 

1

as in to irritate

to make sore by continued rubbing

ill-fitting boots that had badly chafed my heels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritate
• scratch
• scrape
• abrade
• fret
• excoriate
• gall
• skin
• graze
• burn
• peel
• inflame
• enflame
• flay

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

• wear
• erode
• fray
• rub
• abrade
• reduce
• fret
• shave
• gall
• erase
• scrape
• bite
• gnaw
• sharpen
• eat
• corrade
• frazzle
• graze
• chew
• corrode
• scour
• rasp
• file
• wipe (away)
• disintegrate
• nibble
• scuff
• grate
• wear out
• sandpaper
• dissolve
• sandblast
• grind
• decompose
• rub out
• whet
• hone
• break down
• break up

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

• annoy
• bother
• irritate
• bug
• persecute
• aggravate
• exasperate
• irk
• get
• itch
• worry
• spite
• vex
• eat
• rile
• infuriate
• ruffle
• gripe
• grate
• anger
• burn (up)
• pique
• gall
• nark
• frost
• get to
• put out
• tease
• wear on
• plague
• nettle
• peeve
• provoke
• rasp
• hack (off)
• insult
• nag
• rub the wrong way
• offend
• harass
• get on one's nerves
• stick in one's craw
• upset
• get one's goat
• heckle
• enrage
• hassle
• rouse
• discomfort
• set one's teeth on edge
• enflame
• rankle
• inflame
• agitate
• distress
• outrage
• pester
• unsettle
• roil
• badger
• antagonize
• discompose
• devil
• harry
• undo
• fret
• disquiet
• perturb
• exercise
• madden
• unhinge
• affront
• bait
• incense
• miff
• ballyrag
• bullyrag
• freak (out)
• hagride

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appease
• placate
• oblige
• conciliate
• pacify
• please
• satisfy
• gratify
• delight
• mollify
• assure
• propitiate
• soothe
• comfort
• cheer
• reassure
• content
• gladden
• console
• quiet
• solace

chafe

2 of 2

noun

1

as in indignation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indignation
• anger
• ire
• gall
• umbrage
• dander
• outrage
• dudgeon
• pique
• discomfort
• resentment
• irritability
• huff
• irritation
• perturbation
• trouble
• angriness
• pet
• distress
• upset
• agitation
• irateness
• peeve
• displeasure
• snappishness
• irritableness
• disturbance
• bother
• grief
• exasperation
• frustration
• vexation
• aggravation
• annoyance
• pip
• botheration
• aggro

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• delight

2

as in abrasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abrasion
• scratch
• swelling
• rupture
• wound
• scrape
• strain
• bruise
• contusion
• harm
• hurt
• lesion
• boo-boo
• injury
• detriment
• bump
• burn
• scald
• gash
• laceration
• damage
• disability
• scar
• concussion
• scathe
• sear
• impairment
• cut
• affliction
• disfigurement
• disablement
• defacement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovery
• healing
• remedy
• cure
• fix

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chafe

Verb

The party — run by Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Ms. Hasina’s arch nemesis — has chafed at being shut out of the commissions seeking to reimagine Bangladesh. —Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Zelenskyy had chafed at a deal without specific security guarantees from Washington. —Jill Lawless and Aamer Madhani The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025

Noun

Floyd instantly chafes at the hierarchies imposed in Jay’s household, and when the island is cut off from ferries and grocery stores are closed, the mansion becomes dependent on its cook to provide. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024

But for much of the show, Abigail serves as the primary narrator, and her delivery chafes. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 May 2024