hoarse
adjective
ˈhȯrs 
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: rough or harsh in sound : grating
a hoarse voice
2
: having a hoarse voice
shouted himself hoarse
hoarsely adverb
hoarseness noun
Synonyms
- coarse
- croaking
- croaky
- grating
- gravel
- gravelly
- gruff
- husky
- rasping
- raspy
- rusty
- scratchy
- throaty
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She could only speak in a hoarse whisper. The cold made me a little hoarse.
Recent Examples on the Web Fans belted every word, their voices audibly hoarse. 
New York Times, 13 Apr. 2022 The vocalist, a high-cheekboned Chalamet type, began chanting in a hoarse bark. Adlan Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 July 2022 Crowd psychology encourages irrational exuberance, like screaming until your voice is hoarse at a sporting event, or buying into questionable investments, because everyone else is doing it. Jon Markman, Forbes, 11 July 2022 The remaining symptoms are residual nasal congestion and a slightly hoarse voice. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 25 July 2022 Bryant was a bit hoarse after his first four days of practice, gobbling cough drops to soothe his throat. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2022 Suddenly, what had been her sweet, warm voice turned hoarse and cold. Souvankham Thammavongsa, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 His voice was hoarse and Maxey jumped back in his seat. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Van Gundy and fellow analyst Mark Jackson had worked alongside Breen throughout the series, though Van Gundy's voice sounded hoarse during Game 7 and appeared to get progressively worse as the broadcast wore on. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 2 June 2022 See More
New York Times, 13 Apr. 2022 The vocalist, a high-cheekboned Chalamet type, began chanting in a hoarse bark. Adlan Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 July 2022 Crowd psychology encourages irrational exuberance, like screaming until your voice is hoarse at a sporting event, or buying into questionable investments, because everyone else is doing it. Jon Markman, Forbes, 11 July 2022 The remaining symptoms are residual nasal congestion and a slightly hoarse voice. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 25 July 2022 Bryant was a bit hoarse after his first four days of practice, gobbling cough drops to soothe his throat. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2022 Suddenly, what had been her sweet, warm voice turned hoarse and cold. Souvankham Thammavongsa, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 His voice was hoarse and Maxey jumped back in his seat. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Van Gundy and fellow analyst Mark Jackson had worked alongside Breen throughout the series, though Van Gundy's voice sounded hoarse during Game 7 and appeared to get progressively worse as the broadcast wore on. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English hos, hors, probably from Old Norse *hārs, hāss; akin to Old English hās hoarse, Old High German heis
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing hoarse
Kids Definition
hoarse
adjective
ˈhȯrs
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: harsh in sound
a hoarse voice
2
: having a rough voice
I was hoarse from talking too much.
Medical Definition
hoarse
adjective
ˈhō(ə)rs, ˈhȯ(ə)rs
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: rough or harsh in sound
a hoarse voice
2
: having a hoarse voice
was hoarse from shouting
hoarse
adjective
as in gruff
harsh and dry in sound the dying man spoke in a hoarse whisper Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- gruff
- husky
- rasping
- croaking
- growling
- raspy
- coarse
- rusty
- gravelly
- throaty
- choked
- croaky
- scratchy
- strained
- strangled
- grating
- gravel
- guttural
- rough
- scratching
- screeching
- grinding
- strident
- cracked
- raucous
- scraping
- squawking
- abrasive
- growly
- jarring
- discordant
- cawing
- cacophonous
- dissonant
- unmusical
- inharmonious
- unmelodious
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sweet
- mellifluous
- mellow
- gentle
- soothing
- golden
- liquid
- soft
- smooth
- tender
- velvety
- silken
- melodious
- mellifluent
- satiny
- melodic
- gliding
- musical
- euphonious
- lyrical
- lyric