fraying
Edges coming apart
Fraying is the process of becoming worn at the edges, with threads loosening and separating.
Fabric frays where it's been cut or rubbed repeatedly.
The word extends to anything gradually coming apart: fraying nerves, a fraying coalition, the fraying of civil discourse.
What's fraying hasn't broken yet, but the unraveling has begun.
Worn until transparent
weathered · rubbing · abrasion · thinning · pilling · chafing · scuffing · holes
State of mind
- patienceCalm during delays
- composureEmotional self-control
- tensionStretched or strained state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
anxiety · strain · irritation · agitation · exasperation · frustration · snapping · on edge
Twisted fiber strands
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
- separatingDividing into parts
- unwindingReleasing coiled tension
- unweavingReversing interlaced work
untangling · untwisting · coming apart · pulling apart · loose ends · strands · splitting · disintegrating
Twisted fiber strands
- fabricWoven or knit material
- yarnTwisted strand for crafts
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
- loomFabric-making frame
fibers · cloth · rope · twine · knitting · hemp · jute · sisal
Ties that unite
- tiesConnections or neckwear
- connectionsRelationships between things
- allianceFormal union of parties
- friendshipBond of mutual affection
trust · unity · cohesion · partnership · loyalty · solidarity · cooperation · community
threadbare
Worn until transparent
ragged · weathered · rubbing · abrasion · thinning · pilling · chafing · scuffing · holes · patches
temper
State of mind
stress · anxiety · strain · irritation · agitation · exasperation · frustration · snapping · on edge · overwrought
threads
Twisted fiber strands
- looseningReducing tightness or tension
- separatingDividing into parts
- unwindingReleasing coiled tension
unweaving · untangling · untwisting · coming apart · pulling apart · loose ends · strands · splitting · disintegrating · unbraiding
threads
Twisted fiber strands
loom · fibers · cloth · rope · twine · knitting · hemp · jute · sisal · canvas
hem
Folded garment edge
border · trim · selvage · margin · fringe · binding · ribbon · stitching · piping · braid
bonds
Ties that unite
- tiesConnections or neckwear
- connectionsRelationships between things
- allianceFormal union of parties
friendship · trust · unity · cohesion · partnership · loyalty · solidarity · cooperation · community · diplomatic
- clothing flawshole, rip, tear, stain, wrinkle
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- coming apartunravel, falling apart, coming undone, disintegration, unweaving
- fringetassel, tassels, trim, edging, border
- book damagewater damage, torn pages, loose pages, cracked spine, broken spine
frayingmending
Restoring damaged items
repairing · strengthening · reinforcing · intact · whole
frayingstrengthening
Increasing power or solidity
mending · healing · bonding · solidifying · uniting