rasped; rasping; rasps
1
: to rub with something rough
specifically
: to abrade with a rasp
2
: to grate upon : irritate
3
: to utter in a raspy tone
rasper
noun
1
: a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines
2
: something used for rasping
3
a
: an act of rasping
b
: a rasping sound, sensation, or effect
Examples of rasp in a Sentence
Verb
“Let go of my arm,” she rasped.
The metal boxes rasped as they were dragged across the floor.
Noun
the rusted lock opened with a rasp
Recent Examples on the Web
Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
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
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
The soft rasp of her voice was a surprise, deeper than Sam would have expected from someone so small.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rasp
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.
Verb
The reply of my friend and hunting companion was one of those quaint, rasping epithets which only a cowman can manage when everything has gone wrong.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
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
Noun
One great thing about Hackman is that there was no alteration in the rounded rasp of his voice when the moral conditions changed.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
The soft rasp of her voice was a surprise, deeper than Sam would have expected from someone so small.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Cite this Entry
“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rasp. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rasp
1 of 2 verb1
: to rub with or as if with a rough file
rasp off a rough edge
2
3
: to speak or say in an irritated tone
4
: to make a harsh grating sound
rasp
2 of 2 noun1
: a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines
2
: a rasping sound or sensation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share