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as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
her voice was scratchy from a cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scratchy
The blend of cotton and linen keeps them soft and flexible without feeling scratchy, but the adjustable elastic waistband is the real star of the show.
—
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The inside material felt like a fuzzy (not scratchy) blanket that would be so great for travel or lounging around the house.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 24 Feb. 2026
Scrub them with the scratchy side of a sponge, and make sure to dry the wood immediately so that extra water doesn't linger.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Our eyes are itchy, our throats are scratchy, our nose is runny, our head is pounding with congestion.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The inside material felt like a fuzzy (not scratchy) blanket that would be so great for travel or lounging around the house.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 24 Feb. 2026
Scrub them with the scratchy side of a sponge, and make sure to dry the wood immediately so that extra water doesn't linger.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Our eyes are itchy, our throats are scratchy, our nose is runny, our head is pounding with congestion.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
Adjective
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The plane hitting the water is destructive enough without the help of a jagged coral reef (improbably far from any coastline) slicing through the aircraft’s undercarriage.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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Known for their jagged peaks, glacial lakes, and vast icefields, the Canadian Rockies are among the world’s most stunning mountain ranges, forming a natural divide between Alberta and British Columbia.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Derms say mineral blocks tend to be less irritating for sensitive skin.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
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In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His usually peppy voice is hoarse.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
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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
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This is a particularly thorny issue because Tesla’s appeal as the only stock that allows people to directly bet on Musk is set to erode soon, with the billionaire’s space and rocket company SpaceX targeting an initial public offering later this year.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Surrounded by a strong ensemble under the direction of Georgette Verdin, Nozicka frankly knocks this thorny role out of the park.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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This is because squash plants produce prickly leaves and stems that rabbits dislike.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
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This Japanese type of juniper shrub forms a dense mat of prickly blue-green needles that turn slightly purplish in winter.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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