as in coarse
made up of large particles
grainy sand kept it off the rankings as one of the nation's best beaches
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Recent Examples of grainy
The unidentified white van slowly and stealthily pulled up outside the million-dollar-plus homes under the cover of darkness, grainy surveillance footage showed.
—
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Halfway through, Ratner picks up what seems to be Melania’s father’s Super 8 camera and never puts it down, so the latter part of the film is studded with grainy handheld scenes of helicopters and Arlington National Cemetery.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
In September 2014, TMZ published a grainy elevator security video that showed Ray Rice, the star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, punching his girlfriend in the face so hard that she was knocked unconscious.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Freezing is not recommended—Boursin’s soft cheese base may separate when frozen and thawed, and the potatoes can become grainy.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grainy
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Halfway through, Ratner picks up what seems to be Melania’s father’s Super 8 camera and never puts it down, so the latter part of the film is studded with grainy handheld scenes of helicopters and Arlington National Cemetery.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
In September 2014, TMZ published a grainy elevator security video that showed Ray Rice, the star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, punching his girlfriend in the face so hard that she was knocked unconscious.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Freezing is not recommended—Boursin’s soft cheese base may separate when frozen and thawed, and the potatoes can become grainy.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grainy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grainy
Adjective
-
Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
With a coarser grind, the water flows more quickly and won’t pull as much flavor out from the beans.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crafted in grained leather, the Dior Bow bag is defined by clean lines and a soft yet structured feel.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
-
Wise and others have proposed creating the replacement spaces by reducing the width of a sandy berm that divides the Kellogg Park parking lot on the west side of Camino del Oro.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Mexico’s iconic Yucatan Peninsula is a place of contrasts, where impenetrable jungle meets wide open ocean, lush vegetation meets sandy shores, and vibrant energy meets pure serenity.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Solid/granular synthetics come in a variety of products.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Crews worked in rotating 12-hour shifts to continue applying salt, brine and granular materials like sand.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grainy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grainy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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