raspy

adjective

ˈra-spē How to pronounce raspy (audio)
Definition of raspynext
1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed overwork tends to make him raspy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound the dying man spoke in a barely audible, raspy voice

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 raspy So, too, is the film’s music, composer Anthony Willis and soundtrack artist Charli XCX entwining raspy strings with grimy, ominous shudders. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 The raspy voice on the other end of the line gave the intruder instructions. — Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026 Folk-rock Ike Reilly Assassination frontman Ike Reilly opened the show with a 15-minute acoustic set; just a guitar, a harmonica and his son, Shane, singing tight harmonies against Reilly’s raspy lead. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026 The birds are also known for their thrilling, raspy scream that Hollywood directors often use in films to emulate any hawk, and even raptors, according to Cornell. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raspy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raspy
  1. irritable
  2. hoarse
  3. fiery
  4. gruff
  5. husky
Adjective
  • Whether a balanced market can be achieved with competing cartels will be an interesting experiment in a sometimes-irritable trade relationship.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Just as Depp made to exit the stage, a haunting voice came over the speaker, eerily repeating the irritable man’s name.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • When 39 days of elite physical punishment concluded with stadium lights dimming across North America, millions of fans limped away from watch parties with hoarse voices and sore feet.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The other was a tearing beauty, a creature so lovely that one look at her sent young men’s blood pressure skyward and set them to uttering wild, hoarse cries and tearing telephone directories apart with the bare hands.
    — John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
Definition of hoarse
Adjective
  • One person was killed in a fiery three-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck on Wednesday in far northwest suburban Genoa Township.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Embattled Central Florida Congressman Cory Mills faced off in a fiery primary debate with three fellow Republicans Wednesday evening, in which the political issues were largely overshadowed by his many controversies.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • Pangan remembers of Brun, imitating his gruff voice, and shaking her head.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Experiments In Offline Dating by Kat Mackenzie Maya Davis travels to Ireland to find love the old-fashioned way for her dating podcast, only to endure the most disastrous blind date of her life with a gruff sheep farmer.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 31 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

rasps
raspy
rassle
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Cite this Entry

“Raspy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raspy. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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