1
2
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
Scrub them with the scratchy side of a sponge, and make sure to dry the wood immediately so that extra water doesn't linger.
—
Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Our eyes are itchy, our throats are scratchy, our nose is runny, our head is pounding with congestion.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Your throat might feel dry and scratchy; maybe your muscles start to feel tight muscles.
—Katharine Gammon, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Overdosing detergent and allowing the soapy residue to become trapped along with body soil leaves fabrics stiff and scratchy.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Our eyes are itchy, our throats are scratchy, our nose is runny, our head is pounding with congestion.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Your throat might feel dry and scratchy; maybe your muscles start to feel tight muscles.
—Katharine Gammon, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Overdosing detergent and allowing the soapy residue to become trapped along with body soil leaves fabrics stiff and scratchy.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
Adjective
-
Glover, for instance, was particularly captivated by the jagged topography along the moon’s terminator, the dividing line between its illuminated side and the side cloaked in darkness.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Outside the window were snippets of jagged peaks.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Here's where things get a bit irritating.—
Justin Pot,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The quality of a live show, especially one from a legacy band like Journey, comes down to whether the fans leave satisfied: If diehards and casuals alike walk out of the building with grins and hoarse voices from singing along to the big numbers, that’s a successful outing.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Tears have been shed, throats have been screamed hoarse.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Crabapple is an artist and author known for lucid leftie takes, and her book takes on the thorny history of a vibrant intellectual tradition.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Conscious of their thorny public image, prediction markets have tried to launder their reputation by collaborating with news agencies.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And Zendaya, as to be expected, really, is fantastic, slipping effortlessly under the skin of the gruff addict in recovery, trying to claw her way out of an increasingly deep hole.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Looking back, Garth confirmed that the prickly dynamic eventually manifested between the two women in real life.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike juniper which has a prickly texture, Monterey cypress foliage is soft, almost feathery.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Several husky owners echoed how quickly the screams can escalate.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
