scratchy

adjective

ˈskra-chē How to pronounce scratchy (audio)
Definition of scratchynext
1
as in jagged
having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch scratchy shrubbery that's intended to keep kids and pets off the old man's property

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in irritating
causing an unpleasant tingling sensation the wool pants are so scratchy that I can't stand to wear them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound her voice was scratchy from a cold

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 scratchy Reaching for gritty scrubs or scratchy tools at night can make the problem worse. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Since the fire, residents have reported experiencing scratchy throats, headaches and nausea because of the ongoing smell. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 The scratchy, sketchy linework goes for an impression of people and places rather than strictly realistic representation; the backgrounds mostly stripped away. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026 Drummer Jay Russell kept to stark rattles, Sam Shipstone patched in his scratchy electric guitar, and Ryan Needham needled through grumbling basslines. — Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
  1. jagged
  2. irritating
  3. hoarse
  4. thorny
  5. gruff
  6. prickly
  7. husky
Adjective
  • In a nuclear reactor or radiation shield, neutrons and photons travel across jagged edges, dense metals, fluids, and empty voids.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • One armrest broke, and his fist hit jagged plastic, fracturing his left hand.
    — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of jagged
Adjective
  • Despite its splashy unveiling, Project Zenith is more about making the OS less irritating for developers than adding any groundbreaking capabilities.
    — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Another slightly irritating quirk is that the top only stays open for 9 seconds.
    — Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritating
Adjective
  • Singers didn’t want their voices to get hoarse over the long night or week.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Saliva collects at the mouthpiece and distorts the notes, making the blasts sound hoarse and off-pitch.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hoarse
Adjective
  • Singapore pays its political leaders high salaries to attract talent and deter graft, but the issue is thorny in the city-state, where the median wage worker made S$5,775 ($736) a month in 2025.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But there’s a question running through the film that’s a lot thornier than unlikely friendships and learning to look at the world through another’s eyes.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of thorny
Adjective
  • Pittsburgh was matched with Pete, the longtime rival of Mickey Mouse known for his gruff personality and larger-than-life presence.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And this character archetype — a man with a gruff exterior but a good heart — would become a through-line for his career.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • Every so often, the British writer-director Mike Leigh makes a movie in which the stars — and the tartly casual dramatic scenes — line up, coalescing into a full-on vision of prickly humanity.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of prickly
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

scratch pads
scratchy
scrawl
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All