abrasive

[uh-brey-siv, -ziv]

noun

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

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

/ əˈbreɪsɪv /

noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrasive¹

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

Example Sentences

It is very low-key with him, it is so much easier to follow leaders like that rather than abrasive, more obvious leaders.

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Dana Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff, made friends and enemies in Sacramento with her abrasive style and passion for policy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He’d spent time with Nixon and found him abrasive and inflexible.

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On the other hand, the possibly revolutionary impact from artificial intelligence argues that maybe it is still early days, no matter how abrasively these chieftains behave.

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Earl said the experience of playing against the 20-year-old, who has made a huge impact with his exuberant, abrasive style, is a contrast to having him as a team-mate.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• annoying 
• biting 
• caustic 
• harsh 
• irritating