Abrasive: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.