Fray: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'fray' when talking about a chaotic or intense conflict or fight. It can often refer to a situation with a lot of participants.

• He was eager to join the political fray.
• The team jumped into the fray without hesitation.

Use 'battle' for more serious, strategic, or prolonged fights often with clear opposing sides. It can be both literal (as in war) or metaphorical (as in legal or personal struggles).

• The soldiers prepared for an intense battle.
• She fought a long battle with illness.

Use 'scuffle' for a minor, brief, physical fight or struggle, often involving pushing or shoving. This term usually doesn't imply serious harm.

• The kids got into a little scuffle over the toy.
• There was a brief scuffle between the fans outside the stadium.

Use 'melee' for a noisy, confusing fight, usually involving multiple people in close quarters. The term often implies a lack of structure or order.

• A melee broke out in the bar after someone threw a punch.
• The melee of people at the concert was overwhelming.

Used when describing the state of fabric or material that is starting to become worn at the edges through constant rubbing.

• The edges of my jacket began to fray after years of wear

Used when referring to threads coming apart in fabric or in a figurative sense to describe the solving of a complicated problem or mystery.

• The seam on my shirt began to unravel
• They worked hard to unravel the mystery of the ancient ruins

Used to describe something that has been used so much that it's no longer effective or usable.

• My favorite jeans finally wore out after years of use
• The tires on the car need to be replaced because they have worn out

Used to describe a gradual process of becoming progressively worse in condition, often referring to health, quality, or structures.

• The building continued to deteriorate without proper maintenance
• His health began to deteriorate after the accident