as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
a starchy and demanding teacher
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Recent Examples of starchy
This method works particularly well for starchy potatoes like Yukon Golds and russets, which benefit from a quick sear to lock in their texture.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Replace white rice and pasta with lentils, beans, and non-starchy vegetables for fiber and substance.
—Health, 27 Jan. 2026
Think creamy dishes or those heavy on dense, starchy vegetables, like mac and cheese or mashed potatoes.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 15 Jan. 2026
Fried or starchy veggies such as potatoes don’t count.
—Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for starchy
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Replace white rice and pasta with lentils, beans, and non-starchy vegetables for fiber and substance.
—Health, 27 Jan. 2026
Think creamy dishes or those heavy on dense, starchy vegetables, like mac and cheese or mashed potatoes.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 15 Jan. 2026
Fried or starchy veggies such as potatoes don’t count.
—Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for starchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starchy
Adjective
-
Together, experts paint a picture of a sector where formal investment risks intersecting with criminal governance, armed violence and illicit supply chains.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Once the formal and complete application is submitted, city officials will then go through the standard review process and decide whether to move forward with a formal hearing.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Its decorous leaves are not even an inch long.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Lee Martino’s choreography, like the production as a whole, is at its best when observing decorous constraints.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some other teachers that maybe hadn’t been so polite to me or nice to me, all of a sudden became a little nicer.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Thursday night is going to be a nice little appetizer, so to speak.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The service Plentiful, youthful, and uniformly charming (though the stiff, ice-blue staff uniforms are oddly unflattering).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
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Mix water with dish soap (or a little vinegar) and scrub with a broom or stiff brush.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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
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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
Adjective
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Configured for 16 passengers – with room for up to 20 – the cabin rocks thick carpeting, proper seats with ample legroom, a coffee bar, Wi-Fi, USB-C charging at every position, and ambient ceiling lighting for evening crossings.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 09,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2026
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With proper care and maintenance, most mosses will double in size in about a year, filling in bare soil and colonizing your garden space all on their own.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At every major-league park, the league employs a Ball-Out-Strike System (BOSS) operator who is responsible for ensuring the correct strike zone is used for each hitter – as opposed to say, the 5-foot-11 Trent Grisham getting stuck with the zone of the 6-7 Aaron Judge.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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This article has been updated to reflect the correct speed limit for e-bikes in New York City and that Olto deliveries began this year.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starchy. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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