as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
a starchy and demanding teacher
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Example Sentences
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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
-
Jason Ignacio White, a former Noma chef and fermentation director, delivered a formal demand letter to Redzepi calling for industry reform, including fair wages, the end of unpaid labor and stronger protections against harassment and retaliation.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Defense attorneys have argued that antifa is an ideology and not a formal organization to which the defendants belong.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While everyone was nice enough and ready to help when asked, the service is a bit more hands-off.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Each bonkers bit is a nice reminder not to take anything too seriously.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Remove and use an electric mixer to whisk until the meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks, about 3-4 minutes.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Wind or a slight breeze helps the fibers to stay moving, which helps to prevent the stiff feeling.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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More convincing in the film is cinematographer Talant Akynbekov’s observant, almost ceremonious lensing of carpet weaving, as well as of the beats of everyday life, sometimes accompanied by the traditional tunes villagers hum.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Unable to afford a proper burial, the victim’s husband and daughter have created a GoFundMe to help pay for services.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Other clips don’t even bother rendering a proper baby.—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12,
Futurism,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nowlan is absolutely correct about the suffering and heartache caused by gambling disorders, which lead directly to bankruptcy, divorce, foreclosure and suicide.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Only 43% made the correct decision about next steps, such as whether to go to the emergency room or stay home.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starchy. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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