Skip to main content
friction

friction

43 3.9
Tension between people or groups
  • noun
  • /ˈfrɪkʃən/
translation icon : fricción
  • So could the Prime Minister explain how much friction she is willing to accept?
  • create friction
  • cause friction
  • lead to friction

I mean, you've, you've had some friction with Nitsa and so on.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • And in this case, it would mean friction between the Lucia and the Vaccarro crime families.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • That is the path towards friction and tension and conflict.

  • Every couple has some friction every now and then.

  • However, this control would not last, and friction soon developed between the Empire and the Church.

  • A visible friction grew up between them.

  • What are the causes of the friction between Lily and Etka?

    Fiction book (1999)
  • However, Eva's rejection of the political aspects of her identity causes friction in her personal life.

    Academic text (2008)
  • And I know that I haven't been as open to him as everybody else, and that's caused some friction between us.

  • The difference was just another source of friction between mods and norms.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Every couple experiences some friction from time to time.

Synonyms

trouble
vsfriction
1.0

A situation with fighting or strong arguments that disturbs people

is more focused on the interpersonal tension itself rather than disruption
fight
vsfriction
675 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

can refer to quieter tension and simple lack of agreement instead
conflict
vsfriction
397 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is broader, also covering milder tension or lack of harmony
confrontation
vsfriction
294 4.5

A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily

is less about direct meetings and more about overall tension
struggle
vsfriction
290 2.9

A serious fight between groups to gain control

is broader, also covering mild or nonphysical tension or disagreement
disagreement
vsfriction
268 1.6

A situation when people do not have the same opinion

can include stronger tension or ongoing hostility beyond mere differing views
divide
vsfriction
110 6.0

A strong disagreement between groups that causes tension

covers any tension, including temporary disagreements without a lasting split
clash
vsfriction
105 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

is a general term for tension and may lack sudden confrontation
row
vsfriction
  • UK
74 6.0

A noisy argument between people

is broader and can describe quieter or more subtle tension
quarrel
vsfriction
61 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is more general and does not imply a personal relationship change
strife
vsfriction
58 6.6

Serious disagreement and fighting among people

can be milder and does not always imply violence or deep hate
contention
vsfriction
34 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is wider, including gentle tension as well as heated disputes
collision
vsfriction
31 3.7

A strong clash between ideas or goals

is not limited to idea collisions and includes personal or group tension
discord
vsfriction
26 5.6

Strong disagreement between people or groups

is more neutral and can include brief or low-level tension
dissension
vsfriction
16 7.5

A disagreement and arguing between people who must work together

covers any tension between groups or people, not only internal splits
wrangling
vsfriction
16 6.7

A long heated argument about a specific issue

is more general and includes both short and long tensions
friction between
vsfriction
7 4.0

Tension between people or groups that causes disagreement

is the single-word form used more generally for the same idea
confliction
vsfriction
7.5

A disagreement between ideas, people, or interests

focuses more generally on tension or disagreement rather than a clash

Antonyms

443 2.5

Working together with other people to reach a common goal

217 2.8

People or parts joined and acting as one

146 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

Compounds

Tension between people or groups that causes disagreement

1 6.4

A number that shows how much two surfaces resist sliding when they touch

cone friction clutch
  • Specialized
7.7

A clutch with cone shaped friction surfaces that connects two rotating shafts

adhesive friction
  • Specialized
7.1

A force that stops movement between two surfaces because they stick together

friction clutch
  • Specialized
7.2

A device that uses rubbing between two surfaces to transfer power when changing gears

A small wooden stick with a tip that lights when you strike it on something rough

friction prop
  • Specialized
9.9

A temporary steel support that holds a roof when sliding tubes rub together

friction tape
  • Specialized
5.9

A cloth tape with a sticky coating used to wrap electrical wires to stop shocks and keep water out

9.4

A steel support post that slides to reduce pressure from the ground in mines or tunnels

slip friction clutch
  • Specialized
7.2

A device that lets moving parts slide when twisting force is too high to protect machines

How Tense

conflict
397 2.3
hostility
147 4.7
friction
43 3.9
tension
509 3.2
disagreement
268 1.6

Surface Forms

friction singular
frictions plural

Morphology

friction = frict + ion

Although the sense is a metaphorical extension of physical 'friction', the morphological parts ('frict' + '-ion') are not recognizably productive English morphemes for learners, so the meaning is not derivable from components.

Etymology

The word friction comes from the Latin fricare, meaning 'to rub', and the noun frictio for 'rubbing'. So when people have friction, think of a 'rubbing' between them that creates tension or disagreement.