Definition

The quality of being rough or harsh, often causing wear or irritation.

Example

The abrasiveness of the sandpaper made it effective for smoothing surfaces.

Conversation

Have you noticed his abrasiveness lately?

Yeah, it's hard to ignore, isn't it?

I wonder if something is bothering him, making him act that way.

Could be. I hope he figures it out soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Abrasiveness → It is formed from "ab-" (meaning away) and "radere" (meaning to scrape). The word describes the quality of being able to scrape away or wear down surfaces.

Memory Tip

Think of something that scrapes 'away' ('ab-') — that's why abrasiveness refers to the quality of being rough or capable of wearing down.

Visually Confused Words