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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction
constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fray
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The House was poised to pass an initial bipartisan proposal on Wednesday, until Trump and billionaire Elon Musk leapt into the fray and demanded Republicans not back the bill as it was written.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Elaina Patton, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
The New York Fed report adds to other data that show that while American households are managing their debt there is increasing fraying around the edges.
—Michael S. Derby, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fray 
Noun
Terrorist designations usually require action by other agencies, such as the State Department, and some members of Congress who advocate a tougher approach to Mexican drug trafficking are nevertheless reluctant to send U.S. troops into the fray without approval by the Mexican government.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The House was poised to pass an initial bipartisan proposal on Wednesday, until Trump and billionaire Elon Musk leapt into the fray and demanded Republicans not back the bill as it was written.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
But as time passed, saturated colors and a smattering of accessories crept into Caracalla’s looks, echoing the more diminutive emperor’s ever-more erratic behavior and fraying relationship with his brother.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
The New York Fed report adds to other data that show that while American households are managing their debt there is increasing fraying around the edges.
—Michael S. Derby, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
-
Osbourne didn't share much about her treatment, but this update comes on the heels of her recent battle with a high fever over the holidays.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
-
The battle over the report had been building since Mr. Trump was re-elected in November.Alan Feuer, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The ugly scene on a suburban street was a harbinger of skirmishes to come.Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
-
Houston teammates then ran in to defend their teammate, as well, leading to a skirmish that spilled out of bounds while Lawrence remained on the turf, still on his back, as medical personnel tended to him.Andrew Greif, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
At least four others were injured during the shooting rampage in the western town of Cetinje on Wednesday, which authorities say began after a bar brawl.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
-
Coming out of the brutal men’s bathroom brawl, which left Thanos and four others dead, Team X did a quick recount to determine which side (truly) lost more votes.Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
For example, changes to underlying data can erode their effectiveness, like when hospitals switch lab providers.Darius Tahir | KFF Health News, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Over time, acids can erode tooth enamel permanently.Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Interviewed two days later at the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, Edwards still bore the marks of the struggle.Will Carless, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
-
The average cost for a child’s diapers is about $1,200 a year, and half the families in the U.S. struggle to afford them, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.Michael Cuglietta, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Israel’s populist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely avoided public clashes with the Israel Defense Force’s leadership, but politicians in his orbit have regularly attacked top officers as elites bent on subverting the will of the people.Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
-
Venus and Jupiter’s clash facilitates temporary compromises.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The agency recommended residents wear N95 or P100 masks if outside for long periods.Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
-
The Danish public broadcaster, DR, reported Friday that Trump's team encouraged homeless and socially disadvantaged people in Greenland to appear in a video wearing MAGA hats after being offered a free meal in a nice restaurant.THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Set in the pre-Independence, the biopic talks about Savarkar and his role in India’s fight against the British rule.Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
-
The Fed dialed back its fight against inflation over the final months of last year, lowering interest rates by a percentage point.Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near fray
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share