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abrasive

[uh-brey-siv, -ziv] / əˈbreɪ sɪv, -zɪv /


NOUN
substance for polishing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
STRONG


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some found him abrasive and unpleasant to work with.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

And despite the abrasive whir of machinery nearby, on this Monday afternoon, the sound of children laughing cut through the noise.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

When I go back, I forget how strong the sound of the airplanes are, how abrasive and all-encompassing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Delivering in more big European games will make it hard for Borthwick to keep overlooking the number eight, who has an abrasive style that differs from the current dynamic England ball carriers.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

First, he kick-started a craze for extravagant, Hallowe’en-style music, full of dark, deep, crashingly loud chords and abrasive strings.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall




Vocabulary lists containing abrasive