raspy

adjective

ˈra-spē 

raspier; raspiest

1

: harsh, grating

2

: irritable

Synonyms

• choleric
• crabby
• cranky
• cross
• crotchety
• fiery
• grouchy
• grumpy
• irascible
• irritable
• peevish
• perverse
• pettish
• petulant
• prickly
• quick-tempered
• ratty
• short-tempered
• snappish
• snappy
• snarky
• snippety
• snippy
• stuffy
• testy
• waspish

Examples of raspy in a Sentence

Her voice was raspy from yelling so much.

overwork tends to make him raspy

Recent Examples on the Web

That debate, punctuated by Biden’s raspy voice and, at times, confusing response to questions, has left the president open to questions regarding his age and fitness for office. —Elizabeth Beyer, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024

During the forum with former President Trump, Biden spoke in a soft raspy voice, seemed to lack energy and often struggled to complete sentences. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 10 July 2024

Biden struggled with a bad raspy throat and showed his 81 years at several key points in ways that might damage his standing with voters concerned about his age. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 June 2024

Biden's responses, delivered in a raspy voice his campaign attributed to a cold (but only after the debate was well underway) were pockmarked by meandering commentary on his and Trump's policies. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 27 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

raspy

adjective

ˈras-pē 

raspier; raspiest

: making a harsh grating sound

a raspy voice