Abrasive: meaning, definitions and examples

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abrasive

[əˈbreɪ.sɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

used to describe a person or their manner

showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh

Synonyms

harsh, rude, unpleasant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrasive	Suitable for describing a person or their manner as rough and likely to cause friction or irritation, often used in formal or professional settings. His abrasive comments during the meeting upset several colleagues. She has an abrasive way of delivering criticism that can be off-putting.
harsh	Used when referring to something very strict, severe, or cruel, often in the context of criticism, weather, or conditions. The teacher's harsh reprimand reduced the student to tears. The desert's harsh climate makes it difficult to survive.
rude	Appropriate for describing someone's behavior or comments as impolite or bad-mannered, often used in everyday conversations. It's rude to interrupt someone while they are speaking. He made a rude comment about her appearance.
unpleasant	Best used for describing something or someone that causes discomfort or is not enjoyable, can be used in various contexts including social situations. The medicine had an unpleasant taste. She found his attitude towards her work unpleasant.

Examples of usage

He was known for his abrasive manner of speaking.
The abrasive comments made her feel uncomfortable.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

material used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning a hard surface

a substance or material such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning hard surfaces

Synonyms

emery, grit, sandpaper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrasive	When used in a personal context, it describes someone with a rough, harsh, and often unpleasant manner. This usage has a negative connotation. She has an abrasive personality that tends to offend people.
grit	Grit can refer to small, loose particles of stone or sand used as an abrasive material, or it can describe a person's courage and resolve. The grit in the cleaning solution removed the rust from the metal. She showed a lot of grit by standing up to the bully.
sandpaper	Sandpaper is a specific abrasive material used for smoothing or cleaning a surface, typically made of paper with a coating of sand or other abrasive material. He used sandpaper to smooth the wood surface before painting. The project required 120-grit sandpaper for the initial sanding.
emery	Emery is a specific type of abrasive material, often used in powdered form or embedded in paper, fabric, or other backing materials for polishing or grinding metal or other hard materials. The jeweler used emery to polish the ring. Emery boards are common tools for shaping nails.

Examples of usage

The metal surface was smoothed using an abrasive.
She used an abrasive to clean the stubborn stains.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'abrasive' comes from the Latin 'abrasivus', which means 'to scrape away'.
It made its way into English in the early 19th century, originally used primarily in a physical context.
The root 'radere' means 'to scratch' and reflects the word’s original meaning related to materials.

Science

In materials science, abrasives are substances used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing, which creates a transfer of materials.
Common abrasives include sandpaper, steel wool, and pumice, used in various industries for polishing and cutting.
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness rates abrasives, with substances like diamond being the hardest, making them extremely effective.

Psychology

In psychology, an abrasive personality can refer to someone who is harsh or overly blunt in their communication, often leading to conflicts.
Studies show that abrasive communication styles can have negative impacts on workplace relationships and team dynamics.
Understanding how abrasive behaviors affect interpersonal relationships is key in emotional intelligence training.

Pop Culture

The word is often used in movie reviews to describe characters or performances that are aggressively unrefined or unappealing.
In music, some genres have been described as abrasive due to their loud and harsh qualities, catering to specific audiences.
Books and films sometimes feature abrasive characters to highlight tension, showing how their behavior creates conflict in the plot.

Art

Artists may use abrasive materials or techniques to create texture in paintings or sculptures, adding depth and interest.
Certain modern art installations employ abrasive themes to challenge viewers' perceptions and provoke thought.
In music production, abrasive sounds can be intentionally used to evoke emotions or create a striking atmosphere.

Translations

Translations of the word "abrasive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abrasivo

🇮🇳 घर्षणकारी

🇩🇪 schleifend

🇮🇩 abrasif

🇺🇦 абразивний

🇵🇱 ścierny

🇯🇵 研磨剤

🇫🇷 abrasif

🇪🇸 abrasivo

🇹🇷 aşındırıcı

🇰🇷 연마제

🇸🇦 كاشط

🇨🇿 abrazivní

🇸🇰 abrazívny

🇨🇳 磨料

🇸🇮 abraziven

🇮🇸 slípiefni

🇰🇿 абразив

🇬🇪 აბრაზივი

🇦🇿 abraziv

🇲🇽 abrasivo

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,653, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13650 elm
13651 stroked
13652 odious
13653 abrasive
13654 ontology
13655 toleration
13656 aspire
...