Synonyms for chafe
- verb
- noun
Definitions
- v. 1
To excite heat in by friction; to rub in order to stimulate and make warm.
- v. 2
To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate.
- n. 1
Vexation; irritation of mind; rage.
Related words
- Word family
- chafeweed
Example sentences
- worry As regards the result, you need not worry so much.
- rag My mother uses my father's old short as a dust rag.
- irritate What kind of things does Tom do that irritate you?
- exasperate Sorry, I didn't mean to exasperate you with my endless questions.
- rub Children often rub their eyes when they are tired.
- fray All this bickering is starting to fray my nerves.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| chafe | rising | |
| worry | rising | |
| rag | rising | |
| irritate | rising | |
| exasperate | steady | |
| rub | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- rub1, rag1, vex1
- 4 letters
- pain1, skin1, rage1, fray1, fret1, gall1, fume1, narc1, rile1
- 5 letters
- worry2, anger2, annoy2, pique1
- 6 letters
- bother2, plague1, scrape1, ruffle2, nettle2, molest2, pester2, fidget2, abrade2
- 7 letters
- scratch1, provoke2, inflame2
- 8 letters
- irritate3, vexation
- 9 letters
- annoyance3, displease2, excoriate4
- 10 letters
- irritation4, exasperate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (worry2 = 2 syllables).