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
Examples of fray in a Sentence
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
The utopian founders of Planet issued their appeal even as waves of Russian missiles blitzed Ukraine, and as President Vladimir V. Putin threatened to deploy Russia’s massive nuclear weapons arsenal against any NATO nation that directly entered the fray.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Tony Blengino, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The film’s empathy exists mostly in the abstract, as Finn overdoes Skye’s fraying consciousness.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fray 
Noun
Last night, yet another event entered the fray: Athlos, a first-of-its-kind track event and celebration of women’s sports at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.
—Verb
Cole’s competitive edge was frayed, and he was quickly reached for a two-run single by Freeman and a game-tying two-run double by Teoscar Hernandez.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for fray
Noun
-
Penske Porsche Motorsport fell just short in the battle for the Manufacturers Championship in the WEC Hypercar Class, however, as Toyota was able to claim that title.Bruce Martin, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
-
The very real-life British tycoon Robert Maxwell as Rogers’ main competitor also features along with Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev, as the licensing battles took place against the backdrop of the changing situation in the USSR.John Bleasdale, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The fall-off in shooting from the Russian positions, evident in the drone’s feed as well as in videos shot by the Ukrainian vehicle crews, is telling: the Ukrainians were the victors in the skirmish.David Axe, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
-
The volatility of the situation is emphasized by the emotional skirmish that erupts back on the base.Andy Andersen, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The discussion about Ducky's office is interrupted when they’re called to Bryce’s Halloween brawl.Sara Netzley, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024
-
This led to a brawl with the Bloodline and the Usos got the better of it.Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
When the Great Depression hit in the early 1930s, Hitler and his followers were ready to take advantage of the German people’s despair and to focus their attention on a scapegoat—the political left and the Jews—as support for centrist political parties eroded.Christine Adams / Made by History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Disruptions, whether due to shipping delays, supplier issues, or unforeseen events, can quickly erode brand trust and customer loyalty.Gary Drenik, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Finally, after 20 years of struggle, protests, court battles and even picketing the home of Warren Buffett, whose company had assumed ownership of the dams, an agreement was reached to demolish the dams.Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
-
And when the reward doesn’t feel worth the struggle—or when things get hard—motivation crumbles.Akin Akinpelu, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Strange experiences prompt you to self-isolate as the moon clashes with Neptune.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Tornadoes are less common but can happen in fall and winter as cold air clashes with warm, moist air streaming out of the Gulf of Mexico.Robert Shackelford, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Accepting the nomination, Harris wore navy blue and made no mention of ceilings, glass or otherwise.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
-
The examples don’t end there, and over the years have included cigars on the Chanel resort 2017 runway in Havana, Cuba; Kate Moss closing Louis Vuitton’s fall 2011 show holding a cigarette while wearing black gloves, and Lady Gaga walking in the Mugler fall 2011 show sucking on a cigarette.Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Another huge element was the stunt team, who have helped execute fights between superhuman creatures and quite a bit of flying via wirework (one thing the actors won’t miss much).Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2024
-
The crypto industry is pouring money into the fight to control Congress, and the Massachusetts race just isn't enough of a factor to become a good investment.Mike Deehan, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fray
Cite this Entry
“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fray. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share