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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
Settling for a scratchy sweatshirt is out of the question when there are silky-smooth options like this airy modal pullover.
—
Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
The soft inner lining keeps the toes warm but isn’t scratchy.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 16 Jan. 2026
Because flax fibers are rougher than cotton, some find linen bedsheets a bit scratchy.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
By Kathleen Felton For The Washington Post Woke up to a sore, scratchy throat?
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
The soft inner lining keeps the toes warm but isn’t scratchy.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 16 Jan. 2026
Because flax fibers are rougher than cotton, some find linen bedsheets a bit scratchy.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
By Kathleen Felton For The Washington Post Woke up to a sore, scratchy throat?
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
Adjective
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The sidewalks were already frozen slick early in December, and my body was rigid from the jagged cold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kimberley Alpine Resort is surrounded by jagged peaks, and its car-free downtown feels like a snow globe, complete with a quaint look and quiet atmosphere.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rubbing alcohol isn’t corrosive to metals, doesn’t stain clothes, and doesn’t cause the same irritating fumes as working with bleach does.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Feb. 2026
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The hypoallergenic face serum is free from potentially irritating ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances, too.—
Lauren Taylor,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
One of them, fist raised to the sky, let out a long yell, the hoarse shout of a gold panner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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November 17, 2025 What To Know During an Oval Office meeting focused primarily on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump sounded hoarse when speaking with reporters and officials.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Financial services have long been a thorny arena for vertical AI companies.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
How the figure skating backflip became so controversial Backflipping has long been a thorny topic in the figure skating world.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Trapped in a prickly relationship with a cactus, his life changes overnight when Swift sprays herself with Opalite and is magically transported into his living room.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
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Surrounded by vast desert, the long and windy road that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills is dotted with prickly cacti and attractive houses.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One such pet, Lainey, a husky shepherd, was found after going missing in Arizona with the help of a neighbor's Ring camera.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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The team can help plan reindeer and husky rides, reindeer farm visits, snowmobiles tours across the area’s fells and taiga forests, or Aurora-chasing tours, guided by local experts.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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