grating 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of gratingnext
1
as in loud
disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense the mix of colors in that painting is terribly grating

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound with a grating voice, she croaked a feeble "hello"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grate
1
as in annoying
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts unintentionally or not, you say rude things that grate people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scratching
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sled grated along the bare pavement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scraping
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound he grated the pieces of metal together

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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 grating
Adjective
Imagine the most grating podcast advert in the world. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026 His behavior was so grating that even host Rece Davis, the normally stoic straightman, got into a shouting match with Kiper. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
And this episode feels like the power dynamics are really pushing and grating against each other within Ormund and Daeron’s relationship. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 July 2026 This rechargeable version comes with three different-sized blades for grating a variety of hard cheese. — Mark Marino, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grating
  1. loud
  2. hoarse
  3. annoying
  4. scratching
  5. scraping
  6. harsh
  7. gruff
  8. irritating
Adjective
  • The noise would be so loud the town might think a parade was taking place.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Grieving mothers fear fireworks and other loud noises that sound like gunshots.
    — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of loud
Adjective
  • Singers didn’t want their voices to get hoarse over the long night or week.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Saliva collects at the mouthpiece and distorts the notes, making the blasts sound hoarse and off-pitch.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hoarse
Verb
  • Kids in all three countries loved learning dances from TikTok and annoying their siblings.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, this would depend on whether the managers choose to pick their strongest teams in what for some is a meaningless, even annoying extra fixture, for squads who just want to go home.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • Its uniquely wide view will also help scientists decode the intricacies of dark matter and dark energy while perhaps clearing up some contradictions about our universe that scientists have been scratching their heads over for decades.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Use non-abrasive cleaners and tools to avoid scratching the glass surface.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scratching
Verb
  • Burger King has 286 locations in Ohio, according to the data-scraping website ScrapeHero.
    — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Step 3 Reduce mixer speed to low and, with motor running, gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture; beat, stopping and scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed, until just combined.
    — Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of scraping
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Bob Hoskins’s gruff detective, Eddie Valiant, sees them as a sometimes-dangerous nuisance, while conniving film-studio power players see them as moneymakers, and the rest of humanity sees them as shades in between.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Scott, 88, shares the character's worldview, despite the filmmaker’s notoriously gruff exterior.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruff
Verb
  • Oh, and don’t worry about sparkles irritating your gaze—the formula is ophthalmologist-tested.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Be sure to use a fragrance-free, gentle detergent to avoid irritating sensitive skin with any residue.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritating

Browse Nearby Words

gratifyingly
grating
gratis
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Cite this Entry

“Grating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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