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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Edward Juvier is raspy and rumpled as the imperious theater producer Bela Zangler. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 The prize, which was auctioned off by Odenkirk, who assumed the role of a hypeman in a top hat and spoke in a raspy voice, included an autographed script of the highest bidder’s favorite episode and an invitation to a live reading of the show for up to three guests. — Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 8 May 2026 My range is so reduced, and the quality of my voice is raspy. — Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for raspy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raspy
  1. irritable
  2. hoarse
  3. fiery
  4. gruff
  5. husky
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • His voice sounded hoarse from his marathon of back-to-back rallies ahead of Election Day.
    — Shahrzad Rasekh Patrick Cooley Mark Bonamo Kevin Williams, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Now life was like that; some days fine and firm and full of whatever, while other days the hoarse bark of the neighbors’ dog or a friend’s grim diagnosis and her body succumbed to an emotional gravity that pulled her into a free fall.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of hoarse
Adjective
  • The sky is ablaze with fiery colors all along the horizon where the deep lunar shadow drops off.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Sometimes the bag is the outfit, as evidenced by this fiery red mini bag that delivers a punchy pop of color.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • The two-time Oscar winner wrote in his upcoming memoir, Look at Me, that Nichols was gruff in their interactions.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Loneliness looms as a threat to all genders, but men, who are lauded for gruff stoicism and scorned for vulnerability, can be especially ill-equipped to navigate atomization.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • Gomez, who has a noticeably husky, raspy voice at times, answered a fan question about her vocal quirkiness during an Instagram Live session last December.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Her husky voice made Pugh, as an up-and-comer, seem wise beyond her years in breakout roles as a Machiavellian teenage bride in Lady Macbeth and an actor turned spy in The Little Drummer Girl.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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