scratchier; scratchiest
1
: marked or made with scratches
scratchy drawing
scratchy handwriting
3
: making a scratching noise
4
: uneven in quality : ragged
5
: causing tingling or itching : irritating
scratchy wool
6
: somewhat inflamed and sore
a scratchy throat
Examples of scratchy in a Sentence
listening to scratchy old records
The costume is made from scratchy material.
He is sick with a scratchy throat.
Recent Examples on the Web
If a wool sweater or lacey top is too scratchy, it’s getting donated or listed on Depop stat.
—
Erika Reals,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Unlike other linen pieces that are nearly impossible to keep wrinkle-free or feel stiff and scratchy, the entire line gets more comfortable with each wash.
—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
Madrid’s results under Alonso clouded the reality, there were plenty of scratchy league victories — won more via individualism rather than any inherent tactical structure.
—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Evidence of this residue can be seen as water spots or etching glass surfaces, clean laundry that feels stiff and scratchy, and toilet bowl rings that trap bacteria.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
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Erika Reals,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Unlike other linen pieces that are nearly impossible to keep wrinkle-free or feel stiff and scratchy, the entire line gets more comfortable with each wash.
—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
Madrid’s results under Alonso clouded the reality, there were plenty of scratchy league victories — won more via individualism rather than any inherent tactical structure.
—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Evidence of this residue can be seen as water spots or etching glass surfaces, clean laundry that feels stiff and scratchy, and toilet bowl rings that trap bacteria.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratchy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scratchy
adjective
scratchier; scratchiest
1
: likely to scratch or make sore or raw : prickly
scratchy woolens
2
: making a scratching noise
3
: marked or made with scratches
a scratchy surface
scratchy handwriting
4
: uneven in quality : ragged
played a scratchy game of golf
5
: somewhat sore
a scratchy throat
scratchiness
noun
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