abrasive
playWhat It Means
Abrasive means, literally, "causing damage or wear by rubbing, grinding, or scraping." Figuratively, it is used to describe people or things that are unpleasant or irritating.
// The powder might seem abrasive, but when used as instructed, it will remove dirt without damaging the surface.
// Customer service requires being able to satisfy the polite subscribers but also the abrasive ones who argue with the terms of agreement.
abrasive in Context
"During the late fall and winter, frequent snowfall and abrasive sidewalk salt can damage the design of a holiday doormat within weeks." — Valerie Jacobsen, KDVR (Denver, Colorado), 29 Oct. 2021
Did You Know?
Once upon a time, English had abrade and abrase. While abrade remains a familiar word, abrase is rare but survives in abrasive. Both verbs come from abrādere, meaning "to remove by rubbing" or "to scrape off."
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