1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
the two siblings seemed intent on rasping each other for the entire car trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
during the last ice age, glaciers rasped the surface, leaving the deeply scarred rock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rasp
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
The engine rasps and rumbles right up to the tachometer’s 7,000-rpm redline—and beyond, in fact, since peak power arrives at 7,500 rpm.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Nick Miller, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
City trailed 1-0 at halftime after Marcus Rashford’s rasping long-range strike in the eighth minute and a glaring miss from the prolific Haaland from barely two meters out.
—Steve Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Noun
Using a rasp grater such as a Microplane, finely zest the lemon into the bowl and gently toss the ingredients to combine.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
The engine rasps and rumbles right up to the tachometer’s 7,000-rpm redline—and beyond, in fact, since peak power arrives at 7,500 rpm.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Nicolae Stanciu scored one of the best goals of the early stages for Romania, his rasping strike against Ukraine ultimately proving a significant factor in them winning Group E. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, erstwhile transfer-gossip column stalwart, was probably Serbia’s best player at the tournament.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
City trailed 1-0 at halftime after Marcus Rashford’s rasping long-range strike in the eighth minute and a glaring miss from the prolific Haaland from barely two meters out.
—Steve Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
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Rethink And Define Your Network Architecture While a deep tech explanation is probably expected, in reality, the greatest value of this exercise is that the company has to rethink and define the architecture of its network solution from scratch.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Speaking of Cooper, his plan to build an oil company from scratch seemed to have some success at the end of the season.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Cats can rub against concrete to mark their territory and feel more secure because the scent lingers on the material longer than on smoother surfaces.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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Again, once the Field School staff restrained the shark, the team of amateurs got to work quickly and efficiently, with the only mishap being a person who rubbed their fingers the wrong way against the shark skin and got an abrasion that drew a bit of blood.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
Verb
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For instance, if an AI agent is scraping a website or making a purchase, the system determines whether that action aligns with approved behavior.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Using a spatula, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and stir in any remaining uneven parts. Bake and cool.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 July 2025
Verb
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That acquisition annoyed shareholders and customers alike, with investors taking issue with the fact that it was structured to avoid a vote.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 July 2025
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Meanwhile, be patient with daily contacts, especially siblings and relatives who might annoy you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
21 July 2025
Verb
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For her first walk down the aisle, Mel B wore a custom ivory gown designed by Josephine Scott.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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But their sticky melodies and hooks always wore the touch of pop, too.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And a few creaks and rattles cropped up when the exhaust roar or music didn’t drown out all other sounds—though pushing hard in the hills seemed to settle some of the trim into place better.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The Little Chief creaks and groans as another load of passengers settles in for a tour of St. Mary Lake in Montana’s Glacier National Park.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
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For the New Jersey lawsuit, the case was filed by American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, Second Amendment Foundation, Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, and the New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate.—
Nick Sibilla,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Liens can also be filed as a way to encourage businesses to pay more quickly.—
Audrey Ash,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
Verb
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That question also bugs the folks at The Utility Reform Network.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
31 July 2025
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Advertisement Advertisement Code of Silence (BritBox) In this UK drama, police tracking a criminal organization that meets in locations that can’t be bugged recruit a deaf canteen employee, Alison Brooks (Rose Ayling-Ellis), to read suspects’ lips in surveillance videos.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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