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Definitions

scratchy

[skrach-ee] / ˈskrætʃ i /
ADJECTIVE
harsh
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cracked discordant hoarse raspy raucous
WEAK
acrid asperous astringent bitter bleak cacophonous caterwauling clashing coarse craggy creaking croaking disagreeing dissonant disturbing dry earsplitting flat glaring grating grim guttural hard incompatible jagged jangling jarring noisy not smooth off-key out-of-key out-of-tune rasping rigid rough rugged rusty screeching severe sharp sour squawky strident stridulous tuneless uneven unlevel unmelodious unmusical unrelenting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
soft

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It charts the Egyptian Lover’s rise through old photos, from the artist’s personal collection, where the gold chains are stacked, curls are juicy, chest hair is popping and the windbreaker tracksuits are scratchy.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

The fourth album by Dublin's Fontaines DC sees the quintet take their scratchy, sinister sound and run it through a Technicolor filter.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Bethell was scratchy when he did return against India at The Oval but his flowing hands were back on show here.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2025

The sound is raw yet tuneful, with scratchy electric guitars and whomping live drums in place of the synth-ier, more intricately layered productions of “Love Hate Music Box.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

He knew that he badly needed food, and that his arm hurt, and his eyes were scratchy with tiredness, but he couldn’t really feel it.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver