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
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
With the official free agency period beginning today, some more names are entering the fray, such as Cooper Kupp, who has reportedly been released after the team couldn't find a trade for the veteran receiver.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Also fraying as a result of regional frictions are Ethiopia's peace agreements with Eritrea and Somalia, which accused Ethiopian troops of conducting a deadly border attack against Somali forces earlier this month.
—Tom O'Connor, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fray
Noun
In Gurnee, the Illinois REALTORS Fund has thrown itself into the mayoral fray, sending out glossy oversized mailers supporting O’Brien, a semi-retired Realtor and founder of an online real estate company.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
With the official free agency period beginning today, some more names are entering the fray, such as Cooper Kupp, who has reportedly been released after the team couldn't find a trade for the veteran receiver.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
By then, his life was already beginning to fray.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Also fraying as a result of regional frictions are Ethiopia's peace agreements with Eritrea and Somalia, which accused Ethiopian troops of conducting a deadly border attack against Somali forces earlier this month.
—Tom O'Connor, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
-
Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
But in recent months, the city of 45,000 has become a reluctant microcosm of the larger battle playing out, in which a shortage of 70,000 houses, apartments and condos in metro Denver has kept home prices high.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
However the trade saga develops from here, the first skirmishes in a trade war, a dreaded relic of the Great Depression, have begun in the 21st century.—
Jeff Sommer,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
After all, listening is a great tool for influencing people, navigating conflict, and soothing relationship skirmishes.—
Aditi Shrikant,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Officials didn’t provide information about what might have sparked the brawl.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Geopolitical tensions have leaked into competitive sports as of late, with brawls and anti-Donald Trump chants coloring U.S.-Canadian hockey games.—
Story Hinckley,
Christian Science Monitor,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The next mayor must understand that car supremacy cuts into public space, threatens public safety, and erodes the public’s quality of life — just ask the families of 121 pedestrians who were crushed to death by motor vehicles last year, mostly while trying to get from one curb to another.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Rising sea levels not only push back its shorelines, but the encroaching salt water also erodes the country’s limited farmland.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Keith and Mark Newhouse of Newhouse Creative Group understand these struggles firsthand.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Young’s struggles against the Heat continued early in Friday’s contest, scoring 14 points while shooting just 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 5 on threes through the first three quarters.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, while tallies have fluctuated, the average has been around 180 clashes per day, an increase of about 30%.—
Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt The WrestleMania 31 match between The Undertaker and Bray Wyatt, a clash of dark characters, was disappointing for several reasons.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Tobacco smoking, not wearing seatbelts and riding motorcycles can reduce years from your healthspan.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
-
On April 16, the former Disney star stepped out in Los Angeles wearing the quintessential millennial-outfit formula.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The 27-year-old’s striking was on point throughout the fight.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Amid a protracted fight over the future of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, the Missouri Senate on Monday passed legislation that could attract one of the teams to the Northland.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share