rasp 1 of 2

as in scratch
a harsh grating sound the rusted lock opened with a rasp

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rasp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters

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2
as in to scratch
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sound of fingernails rasping on the blackboard makes me cringe

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3
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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 rasp
Noun
Kennedy’s vocal rasp is not caused by an infection or respiratory condition. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025 In this case, there’s not much in the way of medication that can help; Dr. Mercado notes that OTC drugs haven’t actually been proven effective for softening a bad rasp. Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
And then Elisabeth uses it, and her spine splits open, leaving her a rasping husk of flesh while an alternate self rises, in the dewy buff, to survey her taut flesh with a clinical eye in the mirror. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024 What endures is the rasping byplay, the soaring exasperation, the tango of opposing temperaments finding fleeting common ground. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
  • True to their TikTok reputation, every element—including the brioche buns—is made from scratch.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, launching a business from scratch is riskier but results in the potential for innovation and long-term scalability.
    Raheel Sheikh, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Gently rub away any remaining margarine with a paper towel.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Sometimes even small things can rub a customer wrong.
    Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If another caterpillar wanders into their territory, these tiny critters start furiously drumming their heads, shaking their bodies and scraping their butts against the leaf—a series of complex vibratory behaviors to signal that their leaf tip is off-limits.
    Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Sifting and scraping toxic particles would only further the ongoing coastal erosion, which is its own climate change impact.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The sweet interaction was posted to TikTok, where a surprised Ballerini could be seen promising to wear the boots to perform the show's final song.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Participants walked into three different rooms for five minutes with no talking or photos, wearing sensors continuously collecting biological information.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My assumption is that most rational human beings would happily stay in a warm and cozy office and simply listen to the building creak and groan under the force of the violent gusts.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The set is a ship’s deck that tilts and creaks ominously while a screen plays eerily textured footage of a roiling ocean.
    Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Queues of faithful filed into St. Peter's throughout the night and in the early hours of Friday, on the last day to bid farewell to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral on April 26.
    USA Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In arguing for the reforms three years ago, insurers said that the industry had become unprofitable due to an avalanche of frivolous lawsuits filed under a century-old Florida law.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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