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chaff

[chaf, chahf] / tʃæf, tʃɑf /




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.

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As a drone countermeasure, the use of chaff isn’t completely new.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 22, 2026

“The larger world, if it doesn’t directly impact the day-to-day,” she told me, “becomes chaff that you kind of block out because you’re so focused on trying to survive this crucible that you’re in.”

From Slate Jun. 24, 2026

A short walk away, a threshing machine spews clouds of dust and chaff as wheat pours out in a steady stream, rattling into worn brown sacks at farmers' feet.

From Barron's May 15, 2026

It's more about whether you actually believe in something — and boy, oh boy, has the wheat been separated from the chaff in that respect.

From Salon Apr. 20, 2025

It tore the logs of the raft apart as a great wind scatters a heap of dried chaff; it flung Odysseus into the wild waters.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

“One American can relish hugely the entertainment afforded when one quizzical Englishman chaffs his shy, ineloquent countrymen without expecting all other Americans to shake with laughter at the same spectacle,” Woollcott wrote.

From New York Times Oct. 9, 2014

He snarls as well as chaffs at a world with the gout.

From Time Magazine Archive

The man chaffs at worldly conventions, at the dullness of society, at the hypocrisy of so-called respectable people, and congratulates himself and his fair companion on the fun they are having.

From Robert Browning: How to Know Him by Phelps, William Lyon

One of them dies, the other laughs; The seconds smile, the doctor chaffs.

From When hearts are trumps by Hall, Thomas Winthrop

The fifth letter opens with a long complimentary flourish in a barbarous mixture of Italian and Spanish, and then chaffs Pirkheimer unmercifully for his increasing intrigues.

From Dürer Artist-Biographies by Sweetser, M. F.

Other supporters chaffed at accusations that they are trying to ban books.

From Seattle Times Jan. 24, 2024

“A scandal with all the potential ramifications of Watergate, but where everyone involved is stupid and bad at everything,” Oliver chaffed on his weekly late-night satirical show.

From Washington Times May 1, 2023

These are a godsend for my inner thighs on long, sweaty summer runs, when they otherwise become a red chaffed mess.

From Slate Jul. 22, 2019

Backstrom chaffed at Presidents' Trophy talk late last season after winning it in 2009 preceded a first-round exit.

From US News Oct. 3, 2016

Among the many other diversions of their long voyage, Evans one day suggested that they should all be vaccinated, and was unmercifully chaffed for the idea.

From White Fire by Oxenham, John

It causes less chaffing than other bras I’ve owned, too.

From Slate Jul. 22, 2019

And it works very well to help prevent chaffing, too.

From Slate Jun. 8, 2019

I walked and ran through the heat of my chaffing toes and the cold of my shredded heels.

From Salon Jun. 9, 2018

At one point Mr Fucarile stops the interview - his new prosthetic leg is chaffing, and he is beginning to blister.

From BBC Apr. 15, 2014

Rondon kept his temper under control but made the chaffing remark, “Well, you have had a splendid bath, eh?”

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple




Vocabulary lists containing chaff


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