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frazzled

frazzled

1 5.1
Worn and damaged at the edges from long use
  • adjective
  • /ˈfræzəld/
: deshilachado
  • Emma looked about my age, though she had more gray hair—small and frazzled in appearance, with a vacant look in her eyes, as if she never really saw anything or anyone, and a grayish cast to her skin.
  • frazzled hair

Examples

  • The frazzled edges of the old carpet showed signs of heavy use over the years.

  • His hair is totally frazzled.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "God," said my mother, straightening her frazzled hair.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Closing his eyes and running a hand through his frazzled hair, the old man began to sing an ancient hymn.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • His hair is frazzled.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "My lord Casimir and Master Thoris, how good to see you again," Gustav said, his eyes narrowing beneath frazzled brows.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • She gives herself a home perm, and her hair turns into frazzled, irregular, kinky hunks with straight, brittle ends.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • After a long week of work, she felt completely frazzled and needed a break.

  • His nerves were frazzled after the stressful meeting, leaving him exhausted.

Synonyms

damaged
vsfrazzled
378 1.1

Harmed so it works or looks worse

is specifically about edge wear from rubbing, heat, or thread damage
torn
vsfrazzled
132 1.0

Having edges that are ripped and uneven

describes edge wear from long rubbing or heat rather than ripping
worn
vsfrazzled
111 2.1

Damaged and showing signs of long use

specifies damage at edges from rubbing or heat rather than general wear
battered
vsfrazzled
57 3.7

An object that is damaged and has many marks from rough use

describes wear at edges from friction or heat not only blows
frayed
vsfrazzled
25 4.1

Cloth edges that are worn and have loose threads

includes the same edge damage but also lists heat as a cause
beaten-up
vsfrazzled
22 4.7

Damaged and worn from being hit or used a lot

focuses on slow edge wear by rubbing rather than impacts
scuffed
vsfrazzled
9 3.2

Having small scratches and light surface damage, like on shoes or bags

focuses on edges damaged rather than only surface marks
worn-out
vsfrazzled
7 3.1

An object too old or damaged from heavy use to be useful

describes edge thread damage and heat effects rather than total unusability
tattered
vsfrazzled
5 4.5

In a very poor state after long use or damage

emphasizes edge wear from rubbing rather than general ruin
raggy
vsfrazzled
1 4.2

Appears torn or worn, like old clothes with holes

means edges are worn from rubbing, not just a shabby look
outworn
vsfrazzled
1 5.2

An object that has been used a lot and is now damaged or not useful

highlights edges worn and thread damage rather than general aging
overworn
vsfrazzled
1 6.2

Used so much that it looks old or no longer works well

refers to edges damaged by rubbing or heat, not only overuse
attrited
vsfrazzled
9.7

Worn away by rubbing or friction

mentions edge damage from rubbing or heat as well

Antonyms

new
∞ 1.0

In original condition and never used before

272 3.7

Whole and not damaged or missing any parts

How Worn

tattered
25 4.1
frazzled
1 5.1
threadbare
8 6.6
ragged
17 3.5

Surface Forms

frazzled positive

Morphology

frazzled = frazzle (transparent) = frazzle + ed

The sense describing physical fraying or damage is a direct adjectival result of 'frazzle' + -ed, so the relation is straightforward.

Etymology

Frazzled comes from the verb frazzle, which is related to fray and once meant 'to wear into threads'. That's why frazzled is used for cloth, rope, or jeans with edges that are worn, frayed, or coming apart.