scratchy

adjective

ˈskra-chē How to pronounce scratchy (audio)
Definition of scratchynext
1
as in jagged
having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch scratchy shrubbery that's intended to keep kids and pets off the old man's property

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in irritating
causing an unpleasant tingling sensation the wool pants are so scratchy that I can't stand to wear them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 These drops are perfect for those who want something gentle and effective for a mild cough or scratchy throat. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 Like linen, hemp is a strong fiber that can be a little bit scratchy. — Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: on sale for $39.99 Original price: $49.99 (Amazon) A humidifier can help with dry coughs, congestion, nose bleeds, itchy eyes and scratchy throats. — Nora Colomer, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025 Richter draws on the survivor memoirs written and recorded by his relatives, collaging actual photographs with his own scratchy but realistic drawings. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratchy
  1. jagged
  2. irritating
  3. hoarse
  4. thorny
  5. gruff
  6. prickly
  7. husky
Adjective
  • The lodge looked like a miniature in the shadow of the jagged mountains.
    — Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Obviously, no one wants to go to a beach that’s covered in jagged space debris (or where such debris might rain down at any moment).
    — Edward Woodson, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of jagged
Adjective
  • The key difference is that retinol is known for being harsh and drying, especially for sensitive skin, while bakuchiol is far less irritating.
    — Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 3 Mar. 2025
  • And if the girl keeps using the irritating products, prolonged inflammation is known to cause ongoing inappropriate fibroblast activity.
    — Alison Escalante, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of irritating
Adjective
  • Typically lasting about a week, these include chronic cough, sneezing fits, runny nose, sinus pressure, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and hoarse (scratchy, raspy) voice.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Those concerns came to a head during Biden's debate against now-President Donald Trump in June, when Biden sounded hoarse and appeared to stumble through several answers.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of hoarse
Adjective
  • Either in an Elite Eight game that should be a Final Four game, or earlier in the especially thorny thicket that’s facing them as the lowest top seed?
    — Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Addressing the thorny topic of job retention, several speakers opined that some jobs will go away or change while new ones will emerge, but that AI still requires creatives.
    — Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of thorny
Adjective
  • There’s a gruff and garrulous baseball pitching and hitting machine called Pop Fly (Brian Cox).
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.
    — Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • The designer teased that there will be sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
    — Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Zegler brings a fresh, prickly energy to the timeless character.
    — Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of prickly
Adjective
  • Voicing the bag is an older woman with a husky Tuscan timbre, which carries the whole way through its lifecycle onscreen.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
  • My husky boy feet cemented into the concrete veranda.
    — Diane Seuss, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Definition of husky

Browse Nearby Words

scratch pads
scratchy
scrawl
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Cite this Entry

“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratchy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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