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
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Our very favorite down comforter offers luxurious, classic, cozy warmth in a crinkly and slightly starchy outer shell.
—
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 2 Dec. 2025
One of the main differences between starchy and non-starchy vegetables is their calorie and carbohydrate content.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 26 Nov. 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
Dine-in meals ($50 per adult, $25 per child) include a choice of salad or soup, turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry relish, a choice of two starchy sides or vegetables and a choice of one dessert.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starchy
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 2 Dec. 2025
One of the main differences between starchy and non-starchy vegetables is their calorie and carbohydrate content.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 26 Nov. 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
Dine-in meals ($50 per adult, $25 per child) include a choice of salad or soup, turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry relish, a choice of two starchy sides or vegetables and a choice of one dessert.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starchy
Adjective
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Investigators turned their case over to the Ventura County and LA County District Attorney's Offices for formal charges.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Or, wear it with work pants, skirts, or dresses for more formal occasions.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
10 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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The suede upper is also a nice departure from classic leather on other styles.—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
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Monogramming linens and towels is always a nice touch.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Pinto got the extension, but was left off the Olympic roster amidst stiff competition for centre roles.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The president’s bows were aloof and stiff.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The band’s official end was even less ceremonious.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Old Medications Regularly checking expiration dates in your fridge or pantry might already be a part of your cleaning routine, but that medicine cabinet full of little bottles could go years without a proper cleanout.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Amazon’s listings, automatically generated by an experimental artificial intelligence tool, didn’t always correspond to the correct product in Burzio’s inventory.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Most importantly, recipients should ensure their banking details are correct and up to date before requesting or receiving a transfer.—
Jason Phillips,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starchy. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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