hoarse

adjective

ˈhȯrs How to pronounce hoarse (audio)
Definition of hoarsenext
as in gruff
harsh and dry in sound the dying man spoke in a hoarse whisper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hoarse Others walked home sunburned, hoarse and still dressed in blue and orange. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026 During the debate, Joe Biden frequently lost his train of thought, stumbled over answers, and appeared hoarse, fueling concerns among voters and party leaders. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026 Signs include panting, a hoarse bark, scuffing or dragging their toes along the ground, and sometimes regurgitation or swallowing problems. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026 His usually peppy voice is hoarse. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hoarse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoarse
  1. gruff
  2. husky
  3. coarse
  4. rusty
Adjective
  • His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Pangan remembers of Brun, imitating his gruff voice, and shaking her head.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • Tyler, after a brief recovery period, returned to the recording studio with a huskier, edgier voice.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • The extravagant, hi-NRG single showcased the breadth of Tyler’s husky grandeur, which proved a perfect fit for Giorgio Moroder.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
Definition of husky
Adjective
  • Each one functions like a coarse grain of sand, eroding the certainties and stereotypes that harden racial discourse.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Below the top line, the picture is coarse, assembled on demand and trusted by few.
    — Udam Dewaraja, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of coarse
Adjective
  • In the middle of the river separating Serbia and Romania near the Serbian port of Prahovo, a rusty hull is now visible along with a broken mast where the Nazi flag used to fly.
    — Marko Drobnjakovic, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the middle of the river separating Serbia and Romania, near the Serbian port of Prahovo, a rusty hull is now visible, along with a broken mast where the Nazi flag once flew.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of rusty

Browse Nearby Words

hoariness
hoarse
hoary
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoarse. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hoarse

Nglish: Translation of hoarse for Spanish Speakers

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