1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
that gray, cottony spot on the bread is mold
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
fluffy, cottony hair
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cottony
The females will lay 200 or more eggs, protected by cottony eggs sacs, which then hatch in a few days into crawlers that creep away to find new places to feed, says Del-Pozo.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 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
There, the thickly forested ranges perched on a shelf of cottony clouds, offering a view of the mountaintop complex modeled after 16th century Vietnamese pagodas, including a 10-story belfry, a network of stone staircases and a giant seated Buddha.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
Come springtime, a perimeter of blossoming dogwoods will enfold the clearing in a cottony veil.
—Curbed, 13 Nov. 2022
Buy medium eggplant that is not cottony or bruised.
—The View, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2022
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 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
There, the thickly forested ranges perched on a shelf of cottony clouds, offering a view of the mountaintop complex modeled after 16th century Vietnamese pagodas, including a 10-story belfry, a network of stone staircases and a giant seated Buddha.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
Come springtime, a perimeter of blossoming dogwoods will enfold the clearing in a cottony veil.
—Curbed, 13 Nov. 2022
Buy medium eggplant that is not cottony or bruised.
—The View, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottony
Adjective
-
Her soft, shaggy lob is easygoing and effortless—a departure from her past looks, which were heavy, messy-on-purpose blowouts.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Halle Berry and Sabrina Elba both opted for shaggy brown haircuts; the former, a highlighted bob, and the latter, a mid-length single-tone with textured bangs.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Styled by Dani Michelle, the Rhode founder has shown a penchant for silky Tom Ford-era Gucci and buttery Saint Laurent blazers, clingy Mugler dresses and sweet Donna Karan sets.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
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Your gift recipient will love lounging in bed with these smooth and almost silky sheets from Target.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Edible insects in the form of wriggling maggots or hairy caterpillars are both delicacy and staple in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a central African nation of nearly 120 million people.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
20 Sep. 2025
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Once Upon a Brick — Wolf Guy gets himself into a hairy situation in this howling comedy.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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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As a result, when animals died and sank, their soft tissues were occasionally preserved instead of being consumed or decaying.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hamilton Chaise Sectional Sofa Made from a soft polyester blend, this couch has deep seats designed for ultimate relaxation.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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He is still covered in downy feathers and scrambles about on skinny legs, not yet ready to take flight.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
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Tuck into a few of the downy bao buns—the beef with pickled daikon, mayo, chili and coriander is a marvel, but don’t miss the bao with hoisin duck, pickled daikon, ginger, spring onions and cucumber—the salty crunch contrast with the steamed bun is delish.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cottony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottony. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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