frays

Wears through rubbing

Frays is the plural of fray—a fight, brawl, or heated dispute: He stayed out of the frays at work.

As a verb form, it means to unravel at the edges or wear thin through friction: The rope frays where it rubs against the rock.

Nerves and tempers fray under stress: Patience frays as the deadline approaches.

unraveling

threads

Twisted fiber strands

  • fibersThreadlike structural strands
  • fabricWoven or knit material
  • edgesOuter limits or boundaries

seams · hems · strands · yarn · weave · cloth · material · textile · stitching · rope

wear

abrasion

Shallow surface wound

ragged · frazzled · shabby · deterioration · degradation · weathered · eroded · rubbing · chafing · friction

nerves

tempers

Emotional states prone to anger

tension · irritation · agitation · exasperation · anxiety · edginess · frustration · strain · wearing thin · snapping

conflict

battles

Military combat events

  • skirmishesBrief, minor combat engagements
  • clashesViolent encounters or disagreements
  • fightsPhysical or verbal conflicts

hostilities · warfare · confrontations · altercations · scuffles · brawls · feuds · disputes · quarrels · tussles

edges

hem

Folded garment edge

  • cuffSleeve or trouser terminus
  • sleeveGarment's arm portion
  • collarNeck encirclement

seam · border · margin · trim · binding · fringe · ribbon · fabric edge · garment

Categories
Opposites
fabric/material integrity

fraysmends

Restores to function

repairs · restores · strengthens · reinforces · patches

emotional/relational condition

frayscalms

Reduces agitation

soothes · strengthens · steadies · settles · restores

Phrases
Family

fray, frayed, fraying

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G