1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
overwork tends to make him raspy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
the dying man spoke in a barely audible, raspy voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 raspy
Folk-rock Ike Reilly Assassination frontman Ike Reilly opened the show with a 15-minute acoustic set; just a guitar, a harmonica and his son, Shane, singing tight harmonies against Reilly’s raspy lead.
—
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
The birds are also known for their thrilling, raspy scream that Hollywood directors often use in films to emulate any hawk, and even raptors, according to Cornell.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025
So Erivo briefly spoke into the mic in a raspy voice.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025
This is why Dijon’s language works best as sound, not narrative—his rangy, raspy voice seethes and triumphs, mocks and threatens; there’s no world in which his polygonal perspective can be discerned from a lyric sheet.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for raspy
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
The birds are also known for their thrilling, raspy scream that Hollywood directors often use in films to emulate any hawk, and even raptors, according to Cornell.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025
So Erivo briefly spoke into the mic in a raspy voice.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025
This is why Dijon’s language works best as sound, not narrative—his rangy, raspy voice seethes and triumphs, mocks and threatens; there’s no world in which his polygonal perspective can be discerned from a lyric sheet.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for raspy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raspy
Adjective
-
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 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
Adjective
-
One is aji verde, a fiery, electric green sauce made with Peruvian yellow peppers, and huacatay, a pungent, black mint with hints of tarragon and citrus.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In the video, an officer tries to use a key to enter the residence when the front of the building explodes in a fiery blast.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
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
Adjective
-
The 5-year-old husky mix is a regular at Spot's Place in Regina, Saskatchewan, usually attending Monday through Friday.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In juvenile court Monday, as the teenager with a husky build and beard sat at the defendant’s table, Judge Christopher Van Meir ruled that the teen would remain in custody at least until the next court hearing, scheduled for April 27.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Raspy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raspy. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
