rasp 1 of 2

as in scratch
a harsh grating sound the rusted lock opened with a rasp

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rasp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters

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2
as in to scratch
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sound of fingernails rasping on the blackboard makes me cringe

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3
4

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 rasp
Noun
Kennedy’s vocal rasp is not caused by an infection or respiratory condition. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025 In this case, there’s not much in the way of medication that can help; Dr. Mercado notes that OTC drugs haven’t actually been proven effective for softening a bad rasp. Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
City trailed 1-0 at halftime after Marcus Rashford’s rasping long-range strike in the eighth minute and a glaring miss from the prolific Haaland from barely two meters out. Steve Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 And then Elisabeth uses it, and her spine splits open, leaving her a rasping husk of flesh while an alternate self rises, in the dewy buff, to survey her taut flesh with a clinical eye in the mirror. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
  • As a mother of three children with autoimmune issues, Chevrier said she is forced to shop at specialty stores or make everything from scratch.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • Nowadays, there is less pressure to make everything from scratch and have a perfect home.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • The project has been anchored by the relentless efforts of Wood and Orr, experts in rubbing elbows and working a crowd and the phones.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
  • It’s got a wide toe box, soft cushioning, and an upper that grips the ankles comfortably without rubbing the Achilles.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • The game would be scraped shortly after it was released, and editors would get busy trying to figure out how those pieces fit together.
    Daniel Larlham, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
  • Besides her grief and anger, Cora is broke, insecure, living with a religious aunt and working as a crime scene cleaner, scraping away human remains for money.
    Gabino Iglesias, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Easily annoyed by noises like gum smacking or cereal slurping.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The controversy over attire comes just two months after Zelensky was criticized and called disrespectful by a reporter at the White House for not wearing a suit during his visit to the Oval Office, with reports suggesting that Trump was annoyed by Zelensky's choice of clothing.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Going from wearing costumes to wearing a badge is not your typical path.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
  • Cannon wears her children on her sleeve — literally.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • My assumption is that most rational human beings would happily stay in a warm and cozy office and simply listen to the building creak and groan under the force of the violent gusts.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The set is a ship’s deck that tilts and creaks ominously while a screen plays eerily textured footage of a roiling ocean.
    Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • As the size of the camp expanded, officials filed requests to construct more effective crematoriums.
    Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
  • Libby filed her lawsuit against Fecteau to have the censure overturned on March 11.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

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