starchy

adjective

ˈstär-chē How to pronounce starchy (audio)
Definition of starchynext
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details a starchy and demanding teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 starchy Drain, but — and this is vital — reserve the salty, starchy pasta cooking water. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 That book collection or set of old scrapbooks might be serving as a starchy food source and a humid environment for the bug. — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026 Forget cookies or ice cream—put me within arm’s reach of a bag of salty, fried, starchy goodness and all my willpower disappears. — Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for starchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starchy
  1. formal
  2. decorous
  3. nice
  4. stiff
  5. ceremonious
  6. proper
  7. correct
Adjective
  • Amenities and experiences The service here is warm rather than formal, which suits the setting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • On Monday, Georgia Power submitted a formal request to the commission to approve identical modifications at Hatch Units 1 and 2.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • What was pell-mell and excited becomes thoughtful and decorous.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t go looking for hushed tones, decorous silence or the other traditions of a sport whose roots exist on the hallowed lawns of polite society.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Wheaton North responded with a nice two-minute drill, and Burke found Adam Schilling for a 36-yard gain to the 7-yard line.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Folks throw on their nice pair of jeans, or some good earrings, to come here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Researchers mixed ice with cellulose nanocrystals, extremely small, stiff particles made from cellulose.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Use the correct amount of detergent, and avoid using more than is necessary to prevent product buildup that can cause odor and make the towels feel stiff.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of stiff
Adjective
  • It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.
    — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of ceremonious
Adjective
  • These dangerous illnesses are all completely preventable and serve as a reminder of the importance of proper vaccines to protect the health of our families and children.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The spa setup includes a proper sauna, a genuinely cold cold plunge, hot tubs, and a quiet outdoor lounge overlooking the dunes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • College Principal Robert Wafula said the training ensures the correct message is taught to congregations and has helped in other countries such as Rwanda, where the government closed 70 Quaker churches in a recent crackdown led by untrained pastors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Use the correct amount of detergent, and avoid using more than is necessary to prevent product buildup that can cause odor and make the towels feel stiff.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

starchiness
starchy
star-crossed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Starchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starchy. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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