1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
that gray, cottony spot on the bread is mold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 cottony
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottony
Adjective
-
Few pieces of decor are as dreamy as the ones covered in faux fur, and this shaggy beanbag chair is no exception.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 Oct. 2025
-
For the event, the actor returned to his shaggy crew cut in his honey blonde hue — coordinating his 'stache and all.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Both are spiked with cream, ultra-silky and super-versatile.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Like Knowles, Gayle King embraced autumnal tones as well, wearing a silky satin orange dress with an asymmetrical neckline and floral appliqués on the one sleeve.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.—
Luke Leitch,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Gretchen is just as bad as Tamra, two boils on the same hairy ass.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 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
-
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
-
The large flowers have an iridescent lavender eye and stand atop evergreen foliage that adds soft blue-green hues to the garden year-round.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The species is a red gorgonian soft coral found along the Pacific coast from Chile to California.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Well, for starters, cashmere comes from the downy undercoat of specific breeds of goats.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Fill a woven tray with small gourds, mini pumpkin decorations, and a glass vase filled with downy milkweed seeds.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cottony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottony. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share