Abrade — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈbrād/

Meaning & Definition of Abrade

Abrade (verb)

  1. to rub or wear away especially by friction, erode
  2. to irritate or roughen by rubbing
  3. to wear down in spirit, irritate, weary

Abrade (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to damage or diminish by continued friction

    "ropes abraded by the rocks were a huge danger to the climbers"

    similar: chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle, fret, gall, rasp, rub, wear
    related: file, gnaw, grate, graze, grind, nibble, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, scrape, scuff, shave, erase, reduce, rub out, wear out, wipe (away), bite, break down, break up, chew, corrode, decompose, disintegrate, dissolve, eat, hone, sharpen, whet

  2. to make sore by continued rubbing

    "my new running shoes abraded my heels until they blistered"

    similar: chafe, excoriate, fret, gall, irritate
    related: graze, scrape, scratch, burn, inflame, flay, peel, skin

  3. to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface

    "the yacht's once-flawless wooden hull had been badly abraded by years of rough dockings"

    similar: graze, scrape, scratch, scuff
    related: bark, skin, chafe, fret, gall, claw, cut, lacerate, bruise, contuse
    near: polish, smooth, soften, wax

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abrade

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abrade:

chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle, fret, gall, rasp, rub, wear, excoriate, irritate, graze, scrape, scratch, scuff

Related Words for Abrade

file, gnaw, grate, grind, nibble, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, shave, erase, reduce, rub out, wear out, wipe (away), bite, break down, break up, chew, corrode, decompose, disintegrate, dissolve, eat, hone, sharpen, whet, burn, inflame, flay, peel

Near Antonyms of Abrade

polish, smooth, soften, wax

Word Forms of Abrade

Inflections: abraded, abrading

Derived words: abradable (adjective), abrader (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Abrade

borrowed from Latin abrādere "to remove by rubbing, scrape off," from ab- ab- + rādere "to scrape" rase

First known use: 1675t

Frequently Asked Questions about Abrade

What does "Abrade" mean?

"Abrade" means to rub or wear away especially by friction, erode. As a verb, it is defined as: to rub or wear away especially by friction, erode. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abrade"?

Other words for "Abrade" include chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle, fret, gall and rasp. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abrade" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abrade"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abrade". Common alternatives include chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle, fret, gall, rasp, rub and wear.

How do you use "Abrade" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abrade" in a sentence: "ropes abraded by the rocks were a huge danger to the climbers"; "my new running shoes abraded my heels until they blistered"; "the yacht's once-flawless wooden hull had been badly abraded by years of rough dockings".

Is "Abrade" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abrade" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Abrade"?

"Abrade" is pronounced /ə-ˈbrād/.

What is the origin of the word "Abrade"?

"Abrade" comes from borrowed from Latin abrādere "to remove by rubbing, scrape off," from ab- ab- + rādere "to scrape" rase. First known use: 1675t.

What is another word for "Abrade" meaning "to damage or diminish by continued friction"?

When "Abrade" (verb) means to damage or diminish by continued friction, synonyms include chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle and fret.