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
Mealybugs look like cottony white masses, scale insects appear as brown bumps on the leaves, and spider mites leave sticky webbing behind.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
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
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
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
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
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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Later, other stars like Stevie Nicks, David Cassidy, and Mick Jagger mimicked the look in a more choppy, shaggy way with bangs, layers, and tons of texture—instead of the sleekness of the original look.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
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During a Tuesday, April 7 appearance on Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast, the 26-year-old country star spoke about her classic look, featuring shaggy, curly brown bangs.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The combination of silky cream cheese, smooth jello, and crispy pretzel crust is unbeatable—and truly iconic.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
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The sheets are made from bamboo viscose, which is breathable and feels silky smooth against the skin.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Giants reliever Ryan Walker survived a hairy 10th inning to send the game into the 11th.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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So the molds – the hairy fungi – have spores which are released into the air.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
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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But a never ending stream of soft contact leading to one zero after another on the scoreboard.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
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Non-stretch fabrics quickly become uncomfortable mid-flight, but this Anrabess Two-piece Set is made from soft, stretchy material that moves with your body while still looking put together.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The following season, Jackie was tending two downy babies — BBB (Big Bear Baby) and Stormy.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Just recently, Pera put a smooth mushroom pate on Coltivare’s menu, blanketed in a downy fluff of truffles.—
Aviva Bechky,
Houston Chronicle,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cottony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottony. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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