chafe
verb (used with object)
to wear or abrade by rubbing.
have been chafing
-
present perfect progressiveof chafe.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
And when the authoritarian leader starts to display physical impairment, the people who have been chafing under his iron fist stop fearing him.
From Salon ● Nov. 19, 2025
In addition, DirecTV and other distributors also have been chafing over efforts by Disney and other entertainment giants to build their own streaming services, which compete with their long-time partners, the pay-TV companies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2024
These have earned them much popularity at home, where many Yemenis have been chafing under their brutal rule.
From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2024
But college administrators have been chafing against the strictures imposed by the Department of Education, said Daniel Swinton, a top official with the Association of Title IX Administrators.
From New York Times ● Jul. 12, 2017
Unhappily, no supernova explosions have been observed in our Galaxy since the invention of the telescope, and astronomers have been chafing at the bit for some centuries.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
