FRICTIONS Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

frictions

noun

plural of friction

as in discords

a lack of agreement or harmony there was friction between the two sides of the family

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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 frictions Although many top‑level policy frameworks read promisingly, structural frictions create risk that reforms won’t deliver limited real‑world impact, Tang said. — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Wuthering Heights In Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte presents a world of conflicts, frictions between families, passions, and attachments—especially those of Catherine Earnshaw and the tortured Heathcliff—across an untamed landscape. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 One mismatch driving current frictions may be how both sides view that term. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 When algorithms see these frictions falling away, the need for a driver premium plummets, deflating the surge price. — Christopher S. Tang, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 These are the unglamorous frictions that decide whether the idea ever becomes infrastructure. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026 Loudoun County has its frictions with industry, but the local political coalition in support of data centers is durable because residents see the money. — Warren Wimmer, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 In the months that followed, frictions only deepened. — Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 Tensions between Rian and Patrick flare when Rian drunkenly mentions a brief fling with Shiv, though the film’s clunky edit, which gives little room for the performances to breathe and play out organically within their contexts, makes these frictions feel stilted and juvenile. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frictions

Noun

Your dedicated Slack channels, private discords and endless Reddit threads.

— April Uchitel, Flow Space, 6 Aug. 2025
In every case, physical science, which is based on the evidence reported by these limited and limiting senses, eventually leaves us stranded with the conviction that sickness, accidents, and disasters – discords of every description, regardless of the apparent cause – are real and inevitable.

— Lisa Rennie Sytsma, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025

Definition of discords

Noun

Unfortunately, its determination to recreate its predecessor’s personal conflicts and revelations, along with its narrative twists and turns, slightly hamstrings what is otherwise an extremely effective thrill ride, especially on the big screen.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
When Russia’s full-scale invasion breaks out, his mother and sister flee Ukraine and join him, bringing with them family conflicts and feelings of guilt that distance cannot silence.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Yet since she was rescued in bad shape in mid-July and transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment, schisms have formed.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of schisms

Noun

The treaty has endured three wars and prolonged periods of diplomatic tensions but has come under increasing strain in recent years.

— Sam Meredith,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Kitchen has seen some properties pushed even higher than that as sales frequently turn into bidding wars.

— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of wars

Noun

Miller has previously been at the center of ABS disputes while serving as crew chief for Reds games.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
An e-bike ban at Newport Beach schools has sparked disputes between students and neighbors over kids parking in their neighborhoods.

— Michele Gile, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

Since his confirmation earlier this year, the central bank has split further on whether inflation is truly transitory; last month’s decision to keep rates steady resulted in the most dissents since 1970.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
No explanation on the decision was included, and no dissents were noted.

— Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissents

Noun

Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
He had been expected to leave by the end of the year, but clashes with Hegseth on things like the ouster of top Army officers played a role in his decision to depart, a source familiar with the dynamic told Semafor.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clashes

Browse Nearby Words

frictionless

frictions

fried

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“Frictions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frictions. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frictions

noun

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