fray

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈfrā

Synonyms of fray next

: a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute

Fighting there could easily draw neighboring nations into the fray.—

Blaine Harden

… the patrician statesman who stood above the fray.—

Richard D. Hylton

fray

2 of 4

verb (1)

frayed; fraying; frays

transitive verb

: to wear (something, such as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret

: to separate the threads at the edge of

: strain, irritate

… a botched new bus system … which has frayed tempers.—

The Economist

intransitive verb

: to wear out or into shreds

: to show signs of strain

fraying nerves

fray

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)

fray

4 of 4

verb (2)

frayed; fraying; frays

transitive verb

archaic

: scare

also : to frighten away

Examples of fray in a Sentence

Noun (1) another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS a troubled youth always getting into frays at school school officials broke up the fray and gave all guilty parties detention Verb (1) constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But his method is mostly charging into the fray, shouting battle cries or tossing out Australian drollery. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024 That’s the tantalizing prospect being touted by former L.A. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who this morning announced his entry into the TikTok fray. —

David Meyer, Fortune, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for fray

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English fraien, from Anglo-French freier, froier to rub, from Latin fricare — more at friction

Verb (2) and Noun (1)

Middle English fraien, short for affraien to affray

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1630, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of fray was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fray. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

fray

1 of 2 noun

ˈfrā

: an usually disorderly or long fight, struggle, or dispute

fray

2 of 2 verb

: to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing

: to separate the threads at the edge of

cutoff jeans with frayed edges

: to show or cause to show signs of strain

nerves were beginning to fray

Etymology

Noun

from earlier fray "fright," from affray "quarrel, fight," derived from early French affreer "to attack, disturb, frighten" — related to afraid

Verb

Middle English fraien "to fray," from early French freier, froier "to rub," from Latin fricare "to rub" — related to friction

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fray

noun (1)

verb (1)

noun (2)

verb (2)

Synonyms

Examples of fray in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near fray

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition