friction
noun
fric·tion ˈfrik-shən 
1
a
: the rubbing of one body against another
the friction of sandpaper on wood
b
: the force that resists relative motion between two bodies in contact
oil in a car engine reduces friction
2
: the clashing between two persons or parties of opposed views : disagreement
friction between neighbors
friction between state and federal authorities
3
: sound produced by the movement of air through a narrow constriction in the mouth or glottis
frictionless
ˈfrik-shən-ləs
adjective frictionlessly adverb
Synonyms
- conflict
- disaccord
- discord
- discordance
- discordancy
- disharmony
- dissension
- dissention
- dissent
- dissidence
- dissonance
- disunion
- disunity
- division
- infighting
- inharmony
- schism
- strife
- variance
- war
- warfare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the friction of sandpaper on wood Oil in a car engine reduces friction. It was difficult to reach an agreement because of the friction between the two sides.
Recent Examples on the Web At the rear, a brake-by-wire system has to blend friction braking with regenerative braking via the hybrid system. 
Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 The foam-padded grip handles increase friction and minimize hand and muscle fatigue. Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 4 Sep. 2022 Tire friction and air resistance mean that speeding increases fuel consumption. Laura Daily, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 Dab at the stain until it's gone, working in the direction of the hair growth and taking care not to scrub, as friction can cause the hairs to become tangled and matted. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2022 As matter creeps inward to the accretion disk around a black hole, friction causes energy to be pushed back out; the amount of energy lost this way is something the coders put into their simulations by hand through trial and error. Thomas Lewton, Quanta Magazine, 23 Aug. 2022 The friction-free conditions created by the system mean that the vehicle can be kept floating indefinitely, even without power. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2022 On the process side, organizations struggle to find the right talent because there’s so much friction in their traditional workflows. Rahier Rahman, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 But Japan also wants to avoid any unnecessary new friction between the United States and China. New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 The foam-padded grip handles increase friction and minimize hand and muscle fatigue. Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 4 Sep. 2022 Tire friction and air resistance mean that speeding increases fuel consumption. Laura Daily, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 Dab at the stain until it's gone, working in the direction of the hair growth and taking care not to scrub, as friction can cause the hairs to become tangled and matted. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2022 As matter creeps inward to the accretion disk around a black hole, friction causes energy to be pushed back out; the amount of energy lost this way is something the coders put into their simulations by hand through trial and error. Thomas Lewton, Quanta Magazine, 23 Aug. 2022 The friction-free conditions created by the system mean that the vehicle can be kept floating indefinitely, even without power. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2022 On the process side, organizations struggle to find the right talent because there’s so much friction in their traditional workflows. Rahier Rahman, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 But Japan also wants to avoid any unnecessary new friction between the United States and China. New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
earlier, therapeutic rubbing of the limbs, from Middle French, from Latin friction-, frictio, from fricare to rub; akin to Latin friare to crumble, and perhaps to Sanskrit bhrīṇanti they injure
First Known Use
1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing friction
Kids Definition
friction
noun
fric·tion ˈfrik-shən
1
: the rubbing of one thing against another
2
: resistance to motion between bodies in contact
Oiling the parts of the machine reduces friction.
3
: disagreement among persons or groups
frictions
noun
as in discords
a lack of agreement or harmony there was friction between the two sides of the family Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- discords
- conflicts
- schisms
- strifes
- wars
- discordances
- dissentions
- divisions
- disputes
- clashes
- warfares
- dissonances
- dissents
- disharmonies
- altercations
- disagreements
- variances
- hostilities
- dissensions
- fissures
- disunities
- quarrels
- collisions
- contentions
- inharmonies
- arguments
- discordancies
- divides
- antagonisms
- squabbles
- fights
- debates
- bickers
- animosities
- disunions
- inconsistencies
- spats
- incongruities
- dissidences
- disaccords
- enmities
- incompatibilities
- brawls
- tiffs
- infightings
- wrangles
- competitions
- antipathies
- inconsistences
- incongruences
- hassles
- run-ins
- mix-ups
- rows
- fallings-out
- rancors
- scraps
- miffs
- jars
- falling-outs
- inconsonances
- cold wars
- ill wills
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- harmonies
- agreements
- concordances
- accords
- cooperations
- peaces
- concords
- concurrences