as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
she wore a beloved but badly frayed flannel shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in eroded
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 frayed
Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2023
Adjective
After years of hostile and frayed relations, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties and reopen mutual embassies – a deal reportedly brokered by China that has raised eyebrows across the globe.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frayed
Adjective
-
What if standing up to Trump is the very thing that saves the Liberal Party, and Trudeau’s tattered legacy?—
Talib Visram,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
-
But the tattered state of the alliance system is not Trump’s doing alone.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2020
Verb
-
The host and journalist Garrett Graff, himself a gun owner, contextualizes the past quarter century of mass shootings by laying out the political and legislative maneuvers that have eroded gun-control laws over the previous 50 years.—
Marnie Shure,
The Atlantic,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Yet the bill's bipartisan support eroded in recent days, with some Republican lawmakers voicing doubts due to its cost.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Is there something about the needy Anja and her ragged child that the barren Isabell responds to?—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Helena reached the microlight, adjusted her ponytail, and then climbed into the back seat, as the birds flew in ragged circles nearby.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Gray and faded whiskers may be changed to their natural color and even brown or black by using Buckingham dye – try it.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Groom indoor foliage to remove old leaves, faded flowers and declining portions.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near frayed
Cite this Entry
“Frayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frayed. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share