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as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
her voice was scratchy from a cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scratchy
Pavement’s early music was scratchy and eccentric, built on guitars that gnawed and eked their way through songs.
—
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Calling in from his home not far out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the cell service is spotty and scratchy at best.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2025
The group stops, and the cubs make several scratchy, high-pitched sounds.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
While lots of outdoor rugs are scratchy and rough, this one feels cozy and soft enough to spend time lounging on all summer long.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Calling in from his home not far out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the cell service is spotty and scratchy at best.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2025
The group stops, and the cubs make several scratchy, high-pitched sounds.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
While lots of outdoor rugs are scratchy and rough, this one feels cozy and soft enough to spend time lounging on all summer long.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
Adjective
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When Squid Game first flung us into its arena of despair, questioning the status quo was the series’ fuel, and its narrative rhythm had the jagged urgency of that initial run of Red Light, Green Light.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Another photo features a marshal with a long-range precision rifle mounted on a bipod, stationed on jagged ground with dramatic peaks in the backdrop.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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If certain emulsifiers are especially gentle on the gut, the food industry could use them to replace the ones that might be more irritating.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
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But, there are also some unnecessary (potentially irritating) extras—eucalyptus oil, parfum, and benzyl alcohol.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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For most of his first 10 songs, Costello’s singing was ragged and hoarse.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Screamed himself hoarse and still tried calling for his brother.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The Medicaid issue has been a thorny one for the GOP, dividing the party.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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The China accord Lutnick described is far from a comprehensive trade deal that addresses thorny questions about fentanyl trafficking and American exporters’ access to Chinese markets.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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With a deep, gruff voice and animus toward humanity, McCarthy was an unusual dance-music star when Nitzer Ebb started notching chart hits.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
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Two months ago, the world lost a gruff and burly guitar player named Al Barile.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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His focus is Pinot Noirs and Riesling, which speaks volumes about his precision - those are two of the wine world’s most prestigious and prickliest grapes.—
Kate Dingwall,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Dickinson gives us nonjudgmental access to the day-to-day existence of one among any number of unhoused addicts, while Dillane presents Mike with all the prickly edges of a societal reject.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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The footage has resonated with countless husky owners who are all too familiar with the breed's mischievous nature.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive!—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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