Abrasive Meaning
/əˈbɹeɪ.sɪv/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjProducing abrasion; rough enough to wear away the outer surface.
adjBeing rough and coarse in manner or disposition; overly aggressive and causing irritation.
Sentence Examples
Do you think I'm abrasive?
He was being very abrasive.
The abrasive cleanser damaged the surface of the bathtub.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ tone during the meeting offended several colleagues who left early.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He has a very ____ personality that often offends people.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Medieval Latin abrāsīvusbor. English abrasive Borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsīvus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The women of the movement, it struck me, were more humorless and more single-minded in their total dedication to the ideology than were the men. In fact, Chiang Ching was unpleasantly abrasive and aggressive. At one point that evening she turned to me and in a challenging voice asked, "Why did you not come to China before now?" Since the ballet was in progress at the time, I did not respond."
— 1978, Richard Nixon, RN: the Memoirs of Richard Nixon, Grosset & Dunlap, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 570:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ tone during the meeting offended several colleagues who left early.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He has a very ____ personality that often offends people.