1
: worn or shredded at the ends or edges
frayed jeans
A long line of scared-looking first years entered, led by Professor McGonagall, who was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard's hat, heavily patched and darned with a wide rip near the frayed brim.—
J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling2
: damaged, weakened, or worn down by strain or irritation
frayed nerves/tempers
He vanished underground for a time, and when he reappeared he had retired from pimping. But he was still dealing drugs, and in his frayed state he was losing his half-step edge on the law.—Peter Goldman
Peter GoldmanThe draconian measures drew widespread condemnation in Europe and further strained the already frayed relations between Pretoria and Washington …—Mark Whitaker
Mark WhitakerExamples of frayed in a Sentence
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Recent Examples on the Web
These from Jenni Kayne carry the designer’s signature Californian nonchalance with a frayed edge.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
In London, Di Petsa recreated the look of sandy beaches with two tan denim frocks, embellished with frayed seams and hems.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
At last Chiefs-Jags won by a single vote as the panel repaired to the Quill & Swill Pub to mend frayed feelings with old friend Jim Beam.
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Investigators later recovered additional skeletal remains along with Levi’s jeans, a frayed leather coat, a leather belt with beadwork, two metal rings and a clog-style shoe.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
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Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
In London, Di Petsa recreated the look of sandy beaches with two tan denim frocks, embellished with frayed seams and hems.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
At last Chiefs-Jags won by a single vote as the panel repaired to the Quill & Swill Pub to mend frayed feelings with old friend Jim Beam.
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Investigators later recovered additional skeletal remains along with Levi’s jeans, a frayed leather coat, a leather belt with beadwork, two metal rings and a clog-style shoe.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frayed. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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