1
2
as in eroded
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 annoyed
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chafed
Fake blood in color films Prop makers striving for realism and nuance chafed under the restrictions of early film technology.
—
Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Several high-profile managers, who chafed at a more structured environment under the new owners, departed.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
But from the beginning, public broadcasting was in the crosshairs of right-wing politicians who chafed at the idea of the government supporting socially relevant and often educational fare.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Some House Republicans chafed at the accusation during floor debates this week.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Their governments have chafed for years at the global dominance the US has enjoyed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
—Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Stigwood chafed at making anything less than a gritty film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
Still, the Jews chafed under Roman rule and finally rebelled in 66 CE, a revolt which invited the wrath of the Roman legions led by future emperors Vespasian and his son Titus.
—Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025
Her lips were blue, her arms and legs chafed red.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Several high-profile managers, who chafed at a more structured environment under the new owners, departed.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
But from the beginning, public broadcasting was in the crosshairs of right-wing politicians who chafed at the idea of the government supporting socially relevant and often educational fare.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Some House Republicans chafed at the accusation during floor debates this week.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Their governments have chafed for years at the global dominance the US has enjoyed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
—Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Stigwood chafed at making anything less than a gritty film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
Still, the Jews chafed under Roman rule and finally rebelled in 66 CE, a revolt which invited the wrath of the Roman legions led by future emperors Vespasian and his son Titus.
—Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025
Her lips were blue, her arms and legs chafed red.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chafed
Verb
-
The decision by Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, to go on a media tour in recent weeks while negotiating publicly in hopes of landing a better offer for Kuminga, irritated some with the organization, according to league sources.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And the web designer from South Dakota certainly must have irritated her former final two ally Vince Panaro on her way out of the Big Brother house.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In each case — tobacco, alcohol, opioids — the middle ground eroded.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
These brawls further eroded democratic norms, while driving voters away from left-wing and moderate parties who seemed helpless to halt them.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Or annoyed at myself for the whole stunt.—
Junnelle Hogen,
Outside,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Ball doesn’t seem annoyed by the memes yet, but the NBA season hasn’t officially started, so there’s still time.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s the itch that Winstead’s horror projects have scratched, from The Hand That Rocks the Cradle back to 2006’s Final Destination 3 and 2016’s 10 Cloverfield Lane.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Fabrics have scratched surfaces, mimicking digital glitches.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The model wore two looks that night, including an eye-turning pink two-piece lingerie set with a sparkly bustier and lacy boy briefs.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Styled by Soki Mak, Kardashian also wore layers of silver cross pendants and chains as seen on the runway.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Berwald isn't alone in being bothered by misbehaving kids at breweries.—
Jordyn Noennig,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Lehrer — who has maintained his innocence to Rolling Stone claimed he wasn’t bothered by the road ordeal — has been locked away in Dominica State Prison for over two years now.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Four years later, Afghanistan has faded from headlines and those lifelines have frayed.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Over time, the relationship frayed.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Banks has bugged Kerkering to clean his locker, to no avail.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Power gains are bugged to be too low for a new power grind that no one wants to do anyway.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chafed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chafed. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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