1
2
3
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
her voice was scratchy from a cold
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 scratchy
Passing became scratchy and hopeful rather than considered and precise.
—
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
The most interesting thing about the song might be the scratchy, lo-fi guitar solo half way through, and that only lasts 15 seconds.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Plus, Amazon hasn’t skimped on quality with a largely cotton construction that’s comfortable to wear without feeling scratchy or rigid.
—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
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
The most interesting thing about the song might be the scratchy, lo-fi guitar solo half way through, and that only lasts 15 seconds.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Plus, Amazon hasn’t skimped on quality with a largely cotton construction that’s comfortable to wear without feeling scratchy or rigid.
—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
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
Adjective
-
But the storms that lash the unpeopled coasts and jagged mountains of our Fiftieth State are no respecters of men, even the best of us.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
-
From the beginning, the Palisades, with its Mediterranean climate and jagged coastline, lured the most adventurous of settlers, each generation reshaping it in its own image.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Driver recovery can automate what used to be an irritating manual process.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
-
No-see-um bites may be painful and irritating.—
Eva Flowe
May 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
His usually peppy voice is hoarse.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
James’ reasoning had nothing to do with having a hoarse voice at the end of practice.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The best bits of Body of Work are defined by the ideas that don’t center Skeletrix in the frame, the half-thoughts and thorny passages that breeze past if you aren’t locked in.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
-
Inside the Paddock with Luke Smith The thorny issue of multi-team ownership is again in the F1 spotlight amid Mercedes’ interest in purchasing a stake in Alpine.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
-
The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
One of them is home to Sylvie (Isabelle Huppert), a prickly author who is supposed to be getting ready to move out but has instead descended into such a semi-feral state while working on her latest novel that her niece, Laurence (India Hair), hires someone to help her out.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
The story follows a rough-around-the-edges man (Gyllenhaal) who ends up sharing an unwanted journey with his fiancée’s prickly, overprotective father (Costner) after a life-altering turn upends their plans.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 May 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
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
