abrasive

[uh-brey-siv, -ziv]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abrasive ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

adjective

tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading.

tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive: an abrasive personality.

Nearby words

Origin of abrasive

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

SYNONYMS FOR abrasive

2. harsh, rough, rasping.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abrasive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsa·bra·sive·ly, adverba·bra·sive·ness, nounun·a·bra·sive, adjectiveun·a·bra·sive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abrasive

In her newest EP Love Your Boyfriend, she takes the messaging of love songs and places it in an abrasive, sonic package.
From Church of Christ to Pansexual Rapper|Tyler Gillespie|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sound of the record, meanwhile, is ideal: not too smooth, not too abrasive.
The Band’s ‘Rock of Ages’ Is the Greatest Live Album Ever|Andrew Romano|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He stayed away from the gym for a while and came back transformed, abrasive and rude when he had once been polite and respectful.
Boston Suspects Tamerlan & Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, From Boxing to Bombs|Michael Daly|April 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There is a sense that House of Cards reflects the infighting and abrasive atmosphere of the political sphere at the time.
Rewind: BBC’s Iconic Political Thriller ‘House of Cards’ Still Captivates|Jace Lacob|January 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In contrast to the abrasive and high-handed Zakir, Ibrahim is an admired figure among the insurgents.
Pakistan Frees Wave of Taliban Prisoners|Ron Moreau|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Do not discard the sandpaper stick or pencil sharpener used by a draftsman just because all the abrasive sheets have been removed.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
Saleratus Bill had carefully removed every abrasive possibility in the two rooms.
The Rules of the Game|Stewart Edward White
It has an extensive use as an abrasive for grinding and polishing.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume XIV|John Lord
And in the potholes scooped by its whirling waters we recognise the abrasive action of the suspended sand upon the river bed.
The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays|J. (John) Joly
The abrasive trade in general uses low-silica high-iron bauxites.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith

British Dictionary definitions for abrasive

abrasive

noun

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

adjective

causing abrasion; grating; rough

irritating in manner or personality; causing tension or annoyance

Derived Formsabrasiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for abrasive

abrasive

"an abrasive substance," 1853, from abrasive (adj.).

abrasive

adj.

1805, from Latin abras-, past participle stem of abradere (see abrasion) + -ive. Figurative sense of "tending to provoke anger" is first recorded 1925. Related: Abrasively; abrasiveness.

Medicine definitions for abrasive

abrasive

[ə-brā′sĭv]

adj.

Causing abrasion.

n.

A material used to produce abrasion.

abrasive

noun

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of abrasive

Examples from the Web for abrasive

abrasive

noun

adjective

abrasive

abrasive

abrasive

adj.

n.