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
Example 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
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 22 June 2025
The blend of physical locations with sets and digital imagery is seamless and the CG work on the creatures is first-rate, notably so in the scary climactic stretch when the lumbering D. Rex joins the fray.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The friendships begin to fray when a woman named Camille shows up, claiming Bruce had invited her.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
The Fed in the fray Trump’s efforts to push the Fed into managing the debt mark a significant break from more than 70 years of federal economic policy.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 22 June 2025
The blend of physical locations with sets and digital imagery is seamless and the CG work on the creatures is first-rate, notably so in the scary climactic stretch when the lumbering D. Rex joins the fray.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Verb
In response to fraying ties with Washington, Brasília has sought closer relations with Beijing, a move that could hurt Lula’s popularity further: 75% of Brazilians distrust China, a recent poll showed.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The friendships begin to fray when a woman named Camille shows up, claiming Bruce had invited her.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
-
The battle will continue as Trump has blasted the mainstream media for years and signed an executive order to cut federal funding for National Public Radio and PBS, said U.S. Rep. John B. Larson of East Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
-
Potter faces a battle to restore optimism among the fanbase.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Could a Stronger Federal System Have Prevented the Texas Disaster and is this even the question to ask? America’s approach to disaster relief has long been one of the recurring skirmishes in the larger political theatre of governance.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Yet Villa were short of cash and the lack of financial headroom brought skirmishes with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Chelsea's 3-0 FIFA Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, with President Donald Trump in attendance, was marred by a postgame brawl.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
In 2004, the two sides engaged in an ugly brawl with just under six minutes to play.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Now, this fundamental principle is at risk of being eroded.—
Philippa Pham Hughes,
Time,
11 July 2025
-
Geopolitical tensions have made growth in China—its third largest market and 13% of total revenue—difficult and rival chipmakers are keen to erode its lead.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Garcia then acknowledged the 15-time major winner's current health struggles.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Javier Hernandez, executive director of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, told The Associated Press that agents eventually arrested the Honduran man following the struggle inside the clinic that was captured on video.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Steve Garcia When the betting odds were first published for the Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia featherweight clash, Garcia was listed as a -140 betting favorite over the +115 Kattar.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
President Donald Trump broke his silence one day after reports of a clash between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about the release of a memo regarding Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted conservatives on social media to call for the president to fire her.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The deceased woman was also wearing a black necklace with a cross that family said belonged to DiNapoli, according to court documents.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
-
The bride wore a guipure high-neck lace gown embellished with crystals and complete with a nine-foot-long train.—
Sarah Title,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The antibiotics he was prescribed after the fight could have also altered his mind.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
9 July 2025
-
Some scenes, like a fight that takes place in an antiproton river in the pocket universe, feel almost more like a cartoon than live-action, and not in a good way.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share