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
Raw potatoes are quite starchy and when stored in the fridge, the cold temperature can cause the starch to turn into sugar.
—
Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Fried or starchy veggies such as potatoes don’t count.
—Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
Cooked pasta is covered in a starchy coating, and rinsing it down the drain will make the sauce less likely to cling—and much more likely to slip off and end up in a pool on the bottom of your plate or bowl.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Like at any fancy Midwestern joint, your meal comes with a trip to the salad bar and a starchy side — my favorite is the twice-baked potato.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starchy
Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Fried or starchy veggies such as potatoes don’t count.
—Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
Cooked pasta is covered in a starchy coating, and rinsing it down the drain will make the sauce less likely to cling—and much more likely to slip off and end up in a pool on the bottom of your plate or bowl.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Like at any fancy Midwestern joint, your meal comes with a trip to the salad bar and a starchy side — my favorite is the twice-baked potato.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starchy
Adjective
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But observers expect that once the settlement agreement has received formal approval, borrowers with affected student loans will be quickly forced to select a different repayment plan, or the Education Department will choose for them.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The base fare for many ships also includes numerous dining venues with frequently changing menus, from casual buffets to a more formal sit-down meal.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Let it be said, though, that ruling this fairyland—where sweets jump through hoops, perky as peppermint, or swirl around, rich as Spanish chocolate—requires not just a decorous carriage and a cordial disposition but true ballerina grit.—
Guillermo Perez,
Miami Herald,
9 Dec. 2025
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The affair grows less decorous in farcical scenes of upstairs and downstairs life — kitchen staff toiling away on blunts, a trigger-happy shooting party, and cockney pub patrons breaking out in song — and the various side plots.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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And this is in a nice, pretty on-campus facility, not the old, dumpy Astrodome (although the Astrodome is still up, which is another story).—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
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Here’s how to stay safe The recent snow and ice storm turned much of the nation into a winter wonderland—from the safety of a nice, cozy sofa indoors.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Soft polymers stretch easily but generate little force, while stiffer ones produce force yet barely move.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Jan. 2026
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Styles reversed the hold into a Styles Clash attempt, but Nakamura fought out of it only to run into a stiff knee.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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This neighborhood was not as grand as Harlem proper, but everyone who hung their hat here knew its allure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Combined with proper nutrition, exercise creates lasting results, not quick fixes.—
Fred Sassani,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In other words, these analysts are about as likely to make a correct pick as a corgi on TikTok that predicts sporting-event results by hitting a beach ball into a basket.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
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The group were also without gloves and the correct climbing equipment for their feet, per the Craven Herald.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starchy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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