to rasp

Examples

• All

• The Turtle glared at him with his ruby eyes, then rasped through his transposer: "Do not speak foolishly."

  Fiction book (1991)

• As he paddled through the black water, the ferryman rasped a third question.

• Only in this moment of quiet does he hear his breath, rasping with effort.

  Academic text (2007)

• "Welcome to your death," rasped a sandpaper voice from behind me.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Rob should stay on message," he rasped, not lowering his voice.

  Fiction book (1996)

• But when he finally spoke, his voice was a dry whisper, rasping along his throat.

  Fiction book (1998)

• "Nothing," she would rasp, clutching her bathrobe tightly against her chest.

  Fiction book (1996)

• "You killed her, you bastard," he rasped, his whisper harsh and menacing.

  Fiction book (1995)

• "You should listen carefully to his warning; he rasps his advice with urgency and sincerity."

• "The elderly man rasped as he spoke, making it difficult for anyone to understand him clearly."

Synonyms

B

to bark

vsto rasp

91 4.8

To speak in a short angry voice to give orders

is rasping and grating in tone rather than only abruptness

G

to growl

vsto rasp

76 2.2

To make a low, deep sound to warn or show anger

is a harsher scraping voice rather than animal-like low noises

S

to snarl

vsto rasp

21 5.8

To say something in an angry, sharp voice

is more grating in voice quality than merely sharp anger

C

to croak

vsto rasp

• Informal

4 6.3

To make quiet complaining sounds under your breath

is harsher and more grating than low quiet complaints

H

to harrumph

vsto rasp

• Archaic

1 9.8

To clear your throat with a short gruff sound to show annoyance or disapproval

is a harsher scraping speech sound rather than throat clearing

G

to gruff

vsto rasp

6.4

To speak in a rough, low voice that sounds unfriendly

is more grating and scraping in sound than a rough voice

Y

to yawp

vsto rasp

9.9

Make a loud, rough sound like a shout to show anger or complaint

is similar in harshness but more like a scraping speech sound

Antonyms

W

to whisper

586 1.0

To speak very quietly using only breath so one person can hear

M

murmur

36 4.1

A low, quiet sound made by people speaking softly or by small movements

Compounds

R

rasp fern

• Australian

9.9

A small fern with divided leaves that have sharp teeth

How Harsh

to screech

86 4.0

to rasp

5 7.6

to speak

∞ 1.0

to murmur

11 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology