1
as in loud
disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense
the mix of colors in that painting is terribly grating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
with a grating voice, she croaked a feeble "hello"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoying
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grating
Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025
The grating sound of the dial-up internet connecting is what most remember.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 30 Sep. 2025
Brendan Marks, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The rear uses steel grating and reflective grey surfaces with the same square geometry as the front.
—Stefan Ionescu
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grating
Adjective
The scale of that tragedy may be what makes Harris’s complaints seem so petty, however well founded many of them may be, and her deflection of responsibility so grating.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025
The grating sound of the dial-up internet connecting is what most remember.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Malone’s direct style and legendary intensity, while grating at times for players and staff, has typically yielded results.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The rear uses steel grating and reflective grey surfaces with the same square geometry as the front.
—Stefan Ionescu
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grating
Adjective
-
And still, Goodell was greeted by a loud chorus of boos.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Jeffrey Spadjinske, police were called to the meeting on the report that individuals in attendance were being loud and disruptive.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His usually peppy voice is hoarse.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The quality of a live show, especially one from a legacy band like Journey, comes down to whether the fans leave satisfied: If diehards and casuals alike walk out of the building with grins and hoarse voices from singing along to the big numbers, that’s a successful outing.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
-
But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike nylon brushes, silicone ones carry no risk of scratching or removing paint from your bottle.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And he is viewed as a prospect who is just scratching the surface.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Smart skidded across the floor for a loose ball and was fouled, a jaw-scraping effort that forced him to check his teeth on his way up from the hardwood.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Cover and process until combined, scraping sides as needed.—
Maddy Bendgen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Accusations were made, lawsuits were filed, harsh words were spoken and feelings were hurt.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
It’s prized for sculpting a high-definition lip that holds up under the harshest red-carpet lighting.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
McVay raised some eyebrows Thursday night with his gruff demeanor following the pick of Simpson.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
As previously announced, Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Beneficial for the Atlantic but irritating to many beachgoers – sargassum is set to pile up across South Florida’s beaches again this summer.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Sure, there are worse problems to have in life, but there’s no denying that fruit flies are irritating.—
Christine Fiorentino,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
