grating 1 of 2

1
2

grating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grate
1
2
as in scratching
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sled grated along the bare pavement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in scraping
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound he grated the pieces of metal together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grating
Adjective
Runner's knee often causes a tender or grating sensation. Yuliya Klochan, Health, 12 Aug. 2023 Among his more grating qualities is an inability to admit his mistakes: the steely aesthete is also a chameleon, adjusting his positions to the latest political circumstances. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023 But often the most grating road-blocker at work is the one who is on your team — and presumably on your side. Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 This is a perpetually grating question that’s followed the genre around as it’s skyrocketed to the very center of the mainstream over the last few years and become one of the most omnipresent sounds on the planet. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2022 See All Example Sentences for grating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grating
Adjective
  • Ocean City officials have confirmed that fireworks — not gunfire — were the source of loud noises that caused panic and sent crowds scrambling on the boardwalk Friday night.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
  • No loud colors, no mismatched chairs, even the waiters had to wear off-white.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • For most of his first 10 songs, Costello’s singing was ragged and hoarse.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Screamed himself hoarse and still tried calling for his brother.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process.
    Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The mask fully blocks out the harsh cabin lighting and that inevitable sunrise glow before landing.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025
  • Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • With a deep, gruff voice and animus toward humanity, McCarthy was an unusual dance-music star when Nitzer Ebb started notching chart hits.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
  • Two months ago, the world lost a gruff and burly guitar player named Al Barile.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • When handled, these treefrogs secrete a sticky toxin as a defense, which can be irritating to mucous membranes of people or pets who make contact with them.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • All three ingredients offer significant benefits for skin brightening and skin texture, but also tend to be irritating to people with sensitive skin.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In it, guests will venture into Art the Clown’s Funhouse, which first appeared in Terrifier 2, encountering Art’s grotesque kills from the franchise, gleefully displayed for all to see.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 10 July 2025
  • After all, these rich, beautiful people couldn't possibly see past Dee's uncontrollable urge to panic-gag and Charlie's uncontrollable desire to shove grotesque amounts of cheese in his mouth, right?
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grating. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!