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

Derived Forms

• aˈbrasiveness, noun

Other Words From

• a·brasive·ly adverb
• a·brasive·ness noun
• una·brasive adjective
• una·brasive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrasive¹

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

Example Sentences

Many of Trump's advisors reportedly do not like his abrasive personality, his role in facilitating meetings between Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that he was actively lobbying to be Secretary of State rather than waiting for the president-elect to pick him.

From Salon

It is a character reference you don’t have to look hard to find about the new leader of the opposition, seen as sharp, even abrasive, by her friends, let alone those who are less keen on her.

From BBC

Quizzed on a perception that she can seen as abrasive, Badenoch agreed she may need to take a more softly-softly approach.

From BBC

The abrasive riffs and intertwining harmonies of songs like Debaser, Monkey Gone To Heaven, and Where Is My Mind signposted the future of alternative rock in the late 1980s; and they were cited as inspirations by everyone from Nirvana and Radiohead to... er, James Blunt.

From BBC

“They want the Second Amendment; I want the Second Amendment. They want Trump; I want Trump. I do recognize he can be very abrasive.”

From Slate

Related Words

• polish