raspy

adjective

ˈra-spē How to pronounce raspy (audio)
raspier; raspiest
Synonyms of raspynext
1
: harsh, grating
2
: irritable

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of raspy in a Sentence

Her voice was raspy from yelling so much. overwork tends to make him raspy
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
By Angela Haupt January 29, 2025 3:40 PM EST Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, speaks with a raspy quiver in his voice. — Angela Haupt, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 The group drew comparisons to the Jackson Five — young Donny, known for his raspy high notes, was their equivalent of Michael Jackson — and reached a feverish level of fame. — Hank Sanders, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 Dafoe says with an unmistakable raspy cackle over the phone. — Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 Attendees noted the raspy, fortified tone of her vocals, and the confidence in taking on classics from her father’s catalog. — Shirley Halperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for raspy

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of raspy was in 1838

Browse Nearby Words

Rasputin
raspy
rasse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raspy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raspy. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

raspy

adjective
ˈras-pē How to pronounce raspy (audio)
raspier; raspiest
: making a harsh grating sound
a raspy voice
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All