FRAY Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

fray 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrā

Definition of fray

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

as in skirmish

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a troubled youth always getting into frays at school

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

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

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fray

2 of 2

verb

as in to erode

to damage or diminish by continued friction constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope

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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

Noun

The screening’s reception was so strong that nearly every major player entered the fray, driving the bidding to figures the indie distributor simply couldn’t turn down. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Ledgebrook has been happy to stay away from the fray, until now. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

The companies on this year's list are tackling problems that range from rising energy demand to fraying supply chains. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 For two years, tension over the case has frayed allegiances in Dearborn. — Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray

Noun

Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

This leads to even more behind-the-scenes skirmishes laced with character-centric comedy, as opposing factions align.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Ties between the two countries remain strained over their long-running Himalayan border dispute, which erupted into a deadly skirmishes in 2020 that saw soldiers from both sides use rocks and iron rods in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Washington must take care, however, not to transfer defense responsibilities faster than allies can develop the capabilities to assume them—and not to do so in ways that erode trust, interoperability, and coordination.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
The deck replacement is necessary because traffic loads on the span have become increasingly heavy, and salt air has eroded bridge materials.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of erode

Noun

Hernández said the group wanted to use the platform to bring further awareness to the struggles immigrants continue to face in this country with an audience that notably skews more American than Los Tigres is accustomed to.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

By Saturday, demonstrations over rising living costs, school conditions and declining public services had escalated into clashes with police, fires, looting and attacks on public buildings in several cities.

— Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The decades-old rivalry has favored United in the last seven meetings at Elland Road, but Leeds head into Sunday's clash in strong form, with two wins and three draws placing them 7th on the table.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of clash

Noun

Russia's heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine's appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Russia’s heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine’s appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

frauleins

fray

frayed

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Style

“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fray

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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