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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
Examples of hoarse in a Sentence
She could only speak in a hoarse whisper.
The cold made me a little hoarse.
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Mr. Biden struggled through the first presidential debate against Trump in June, speaking in a hoarse voice and at times appearing to lose his train of thought while answering questions.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2024
Most in the away end were hoarse by that stage, but a special roar was reserved for Worrall.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
During the debate, Biden's voice was hoarse and raspy, and the president stumbled over words and had to correct himself with numbers.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
With a hoarse voice at the end of the last day before the 2024 presidential election, Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Tim Walz late Monday night delivered a final message focused on reproductive rights to Michigan voters at a rally in downtown Detroit as the campaign drew to a close.
—Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
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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
Time Traveler
The first known use of hoarse was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing hoarse
Dictionary Entries Near hoarse
Cite this Entry
“Hoarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoarse. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
hoarse
adjective
ˈhō(ə)rs
ˈhȯ(ə)rs
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: harsh in sound
2
: having a rough voice
a cold made me hoarse
hoarsely
adverb
hoarseness
noun
Medical Definition
hoarse
adjective
hoarser; hoarsest
1
: rough or harsh in sound
a hoarse voice
2
: having a hoarse voice
was hoarse from shouting
hoarsely
adverb
hoarseness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on hoarse
Nglish: Translation of hoarse for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of hoarse for Arabic Speakers
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