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Synonyms

hoarse

American  
[hawrs, hohrs] / hɔrs, hoʊrs /

adjective

hoarser, hoarsest

  1. having a vocal tone characterized by weakness of intensity and excessive breathiness; husky.

    the hoarse voice of the auctioneer.
    Synonyms:
    rough, throaty, grating, harsh

  2. having a raucous voice.

  3. making a harsh, low sound.

hoarse British  
/ hɔːs /

adjective

  1. gratingly harsh or raucous in tone

  2. low, harsh, and lacking in intensity

    a hoarse whisper

  3. having a husky voice, as through illness, shouting, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • hoarsely adverb
  • hoarseness noun

Etymology

Origin of hoarse

1350–1400; Middle English hors < Old Norse *hārs (assumed variant of hāss ); replacing Middle English hoos, Old English hās, cognate with Old High German heis, Old Saxon hēs

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.

Several supporters in Dakar, their voices still hoarse and weary, told AFP they were disappointed by such threats.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

Palme d’Or winners and catwalk icons gather in the private boxes while shirtless ultras sing themselves hoarse behind the goals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

She updated her followers in a later post by saying she was "a bit hoarse, but all is good".

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

His voice is hoarse, and Day is worried he’s sick.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2025

“You will know that soon enough,” replied a man with a hoarse voice.

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.