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
Synonyms
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
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
Brendan Menapace, SPIN, 1 Oct. 2024
At the heart of the group’s new identity is the interplay between Shinoda, who sounds revitalized as both quick-twitch rapper and heartfelt crooner, and Armstrong, whose formidable rasp can both wallop and deeply affect rock listeners.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rasp 
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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
Noun
And despite his Pittsburgh roots and Florida home, Monaco’s low rasp and vocal patterns wouldn’t be out of place on a Sopranos bit-character.
—Brendan Menapace, SPIN, 1 Oct. 2024
At the heart of the group’s new identity is the interplay between Shinoda, who sounds revitalized as both quick-twitch rapper and heartfelt crooner, and Armstrong, whose formidable rasp can both wallop and deeply affect rock listeners.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rasp
Dictionary Entries Near rasp
Cite this Entry
“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rasp. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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
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