1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
that gray, cottony spot on the bread is mold
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
fluffy, cottony hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cottony
For this new fleece, AG is using the type of longer-staple cotton fibers found in soft cottony things like fancy dress shirts and expensive bedsheets.
—
Michael Calore, Wired News, 16 Dec. 2025
Indoors, window dressings create dioramas of glittering reindeer, silvery elves and Saint Nicks and traditional nutcrackers framed with greenery, icicles and cottony snow.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 2 Dec. 2025
The moths lay egg masses starting in July that appear as a cottony, fuzzy patch.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Those without leaves store water in their stems.) Check the plants for disease and infestations, including mealy bugs, which look like a cottony, white substance, and powdery mildew, which initially appears as white circles on leaves and stems.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
These small insects have a waxy, white, cottony appearance and can usually be found in clusters on the underside of leaves and in stem joints.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Behind him, a little further down, a cottony mist is spreading between folds in the hills, a white fog on red earth, the sea has disappeared.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2025
Michael Calore, Wired News, 16 Dec. 2025
Indoors, window dressings create dioramas of glittering reindeer, silvery elves and Saint Nicks and traditional nutcrackers framed with greenery, icicles and cottony snow.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 2 Dec. 2025
The moths lay egg masses starting in July that appear as a cottony, fuzzy patch.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Those without leaves store water in their stems.) Check the plants for disease and infestations, including mealy bugs, which look like a cottony, white substance, and powdery mildew, which initially appears as white circles on leaves and stems.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
These small insects have a waxy, white, cottony appearance and can usually be found in clusters on the underside of leaves and in stem joints.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Behind him, a little further down, a cottony mist is spreading between folds in the hills, a white fog on red earth, the sea has disappeared.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottony
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Sean Suen focused on shaggy tresses.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Spot shaggy giants grazing in the heart of the city.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Gwyneth Paltrow whipped up her famous boyfriend-breakfast in a silky navy set, Kate Hudson sat for hair and makeup in a knitted turtleneck combo, and Demi Moore hung out with family in a gingham two-piece.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer Of course, my breakouts don’t magically disappear, but the silky-smooth formula evens my skin tone and gives a blurring, Facetune-like effect IRL.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Things became so hairy that Ghost City Tours, which hosted events featuring Annabelle, released a statement confirming that Annabelle had nothing to do with the fire.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
27 Dec. 2025
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In October, for his first collection as the designer of Jean Paul Gaultier, Duran Lantink put models in hairy trompe-l’œil-style catsuits, while Kim Kardashian — who last year first teased us with a Skims faux fur bikini — fully committed with a range of merkins in various shades and hair types.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Snag this extra-soft sheet set for 83% off, which is available in numerous colors and sizes.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
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So too is the ancient dining room at Scotti's, with its Chianti bottle candle holders dripping with wax and soft opera music always playing through the speakers.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Sourcing the best comforters and duvet inserts—from down toppers to fluffy, featherless options—makes a downy bedscape a reality.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
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Tamma was crying and snotting into the downy peach fuzz of her upper lip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cottony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottony. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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