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
-
The service At the health clinic, in the restaurants, and throughout the property, the service is deferential and fastidious without being overwhelmingly formal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
With four stories and 35 rooms, Joslyn has opulence built, inlaid, and planted in every corner, from its carriage house tower to its gold drawing room and five acres of formal estate gardens.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
Midwest Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But such disagreements tended to be handled with the decorous language of diplomacy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The playing position was thought more decorous than the position for the violin, and the mandolin itself was visually attractive, appearing as a fashion accessory in any number of paintings.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So borrowing those things on Buy Nothing is really nice.—
Dania Maxwell,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Both Guerrero and Offerman were full of nice things to say about Kidman, who had just one day to shoot her wrestling scene and the previous day to rehearse it, for which Guerrero flew to Nashville to train with Kidman in a boxing gym alongside her stunt double, former wrestler Danielle Moinet.—
Scarlett Harris,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, Magyar would face a stiff challenge to meet the EU’s demands and unlock some funding before an August 31 deadline.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Apply degreaser to the stain, and use a stiff brush to work it into the concrete.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 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
-
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
-
Hot sleepers know the feeling of tossing, turning, and sweating through too-warm bedding especially well, but the proper seasonal bedding can eliminate this issue.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Everyone needs a release for life’s many frustrations; its just a matter of finding the proper outlet, before things get out of hand.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Intelligence is basically anything with a pretty clear definition between the set of correct and incorrect answers—think tasks in coding, mathematics, physics, and even some tasks in accounting, law, or medicine.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Unfortunately, those assumptions proved correct.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starchy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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