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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.

Meanwhile Nathan Johnson’s score of scratchy cellos and foreboding horns pairs well with a dramatic burst of organ music — one of many goofy-great jump scares goosed up by the editor Bob Ducsay.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Tammy Beaumont was again scratchy for 22 from 43 balls but Amy Jones found valuable form with her 56, before Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt set a platform with a fluent stand of 113.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2025

England lost Jamie Smith to the first ball of the reply and Ben Duckett for a scratchy 18, yet the pursuit was ignited by Bethell's 58.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

Then Brooks shifts into the light thriller she’s teased since the opening notes of heaving, scratchy violins.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2025

Scratchy sheets or no scratchy sheets, this was exactly the fresh start I’d been hoping for, and for a moment I forgot about the Cocoon and the ominous shadow it had cast over everything.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin