fray

1 of 4

noun (1)

: 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

1
a
: to wear (something, such as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret
b
: to separate the threads at the edge of
2
: strain, irritate
… a botched new bus system … which has frayed tempers.The Economist

intransitive verb

1
: to wear out or into shreds
2
: 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

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The United States and the Soviet Union had yet to enter the fray. Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 By the 1970s, even as competitors entered the fray, Samyang held a commanding 65% market share and was among the 25 biggest companies in the country. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Many exhibiting brands from last year will not be returning, while many new faces enter the fray. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 To make matters worse, a new and powerful rival, who is in love with Purva, enters the fray. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 This January, the EU entered the fray by sanctioning six Sudanese companies for their roles in facilitating corruption and conflict in Sudan. John Prendergast, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2024 This time around, its baronial Flying Spur entered the fray; the sedan is among the last 12-cylinder Bentleys in the model line, as the automaker will stop building the power plant in April. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024 Those factors all had the makings for a generational clash among Democrats until Garvey joined the fray in October. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Dragged into the fray is Jagger Rose, a normally cool, young hit-woman who was tasked with supervising Valentine, and has wound up with a target on her back too. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
Vacuuming The Insider Doormat can cause fiber damage or fraying if your rotating brush settings are not on high. Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 Republicans who control the state Senate have pushed to open greater opportunities for natural gas production in Pennsylvania, and have warned that carbon-pricing could raise electricity bills, fray the electricity grid, hurt in-state energy producers and drive new power generation to other states. Michael Rubinkam and Marc Levy, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 The connections between his brain’s frontal lobes, which are responsible for executive function, and the parts of the brain that generate fear, anger, impulsiveness and violence were badly frayed. Dave Philipps, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The Houthis have clashed with southern factions in recent weeks, and some observers worry the two-year cease-fire may be fraying. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024 The season is a grind, and the player-coach relationship can fray as December becomes January and January becomes February. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024 Within Haredi communities, many fear that the fabric of their insular life would begin to fray if men were forced to skip the full-time study of Scripture. Natan Odenheimer, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Unity between the European Union (EU) and NATO is starting to fray, with nearly every big decision held up and threatened with veto. Luke McGee, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 Keep in Mind The cane texture got caught on our hair and frayed our silk pillowcases. Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near fray

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

fray

1 of 2 noun
: an usually disorderly or long fight, struggle, or dispute

fray

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing
b
: to separate the threads at the edge of
cutoff jeans with frayed edges
2
: 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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