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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
Persistent headaches, scratchy throats and that foggy, fatigued feeling that never quite lifts may not be a virus or seasonal pollen.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Then came Tom Brady, who walked out on stage at first with a scratchy microphone that quickly corrected itself.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 May 2026
The polyester cloth was scratchy on my thighs, the fit inexact.
—Benny Peterson, Vogue, 4 May 2026
It’s rightfully associated with fiber, but often wrongly assumed to be as scratchy as twine.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Then came Tom Brady, who walked out on stage at first with a scratchy microphone that quickly corrected itself.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 May 2026
The polyester cloth was scratchy on my thighs, the fit inexact.
—Benny Peterson, Vogue, 4 May 2026
It’s rightfully associated with fiber, but often wrongly assumed to be as scratchy as twine.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
Adjective
-
Irregular, edges catch oil differently, crisping into jagged, craggly bits while softer interior pockets hold onto dressing, broth, or sauce—the kind of varied texture that makes each bite its own.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
As pests crawl through it, its jagged edges scrape their exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The post carried neither hereditary title nor extraordinary fortune, and yet it was regarded with a degree of respect that many noble families found faintly irritating.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
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And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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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
Adjective
-
The negotiations are meant to resolve some of the thorniest issues in the deal that are yet to be agreed upon, including Iran’s nuclear program.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
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This next round of technical talks, intended to tackle the thorny issue of Iran’s nuclear program, will be much more complicated.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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But Rose bet that a less gruff voice, ultimately Mike Brown’s, was required to win it all.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
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Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s also the possibility of overindulging fan excitement for beloved characters, a world where Patricia turns into a less prickly, more easily lovable character, trading her off-kilter pointiness for something smoother and more flattering.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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Still, a square between Venus and Chiron could make mundane conversations more prickly than usual, especially around work, wellness or responsibilities.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Known for a unique approach to improvisation and his warm, husky voice, Ulmer settled into a niche of his own in the late Seventies and early Eighties.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2026
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The 5-year-old husky mix is a regular at Spot's Place in Regina, Saskatchewan, usually attending Monday through Friday.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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