abrasive

American  

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

noun

1. any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc., as emery, pumice, or sandpaper.

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adjective

1. tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading.

   Synonyms:

   rasping, rough, harsh

2. tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive.

   an abrasive personality.

abrasive British  

/ əˈbreɪsɪv /

noun

1. a substance or material such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning, grinding, smoothing, or polishing

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adjective

1. causing abrasion; grating; rough

2. irritating in manner or personality; causing tension or annoyance

Other Word Forms

• abrasively adverb
• abrasiveness noun
• unabrasive adjective
• unabrasively adverb

Etymology

Origin of abrasive

1870–75; < Latin abrās ( us ) ( abrasion ) + -ive

Example Sentences

Some found him abrasive and unpleasant to work with.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

So abrasive are its words and affecting its tune that the agnostic and irreverent journalist H.L.

From The Wall Street Journal

His somewhat abrasive personality will be forgotten, while his designs remain a legacy for the ages, a lasting tribute to a modest Jewish Canadian who became a titan of our era.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• annoying
• biting
• caustic
• harsh
• irritating