gravel 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of gravelnext
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound after his bout with laryngitis, he had a terribly gravel voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gravel

2 of 3

verb

as in to baffle
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty managed to gravel his opponent in the debate by focusing on atypical examples

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gravel

3 of 3

noun

as in sand

Related Words

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 gravel
Adjective
The first part of the road, which is paved, is maintained by the state; the rest is gravel and stretches across Seymour's property and those of other neighbors. — Dana Hedgpeth The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026 Starting on Burlington’s waterfront, this 13-mile route traces the shoreline before funneling riders onto the Colchester Causeway, a narrow, gravel path that stretches across Lake Champlain. — Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
The aircraft had been making its second approach to the runway in heavy fog and its pilots could not see the gravel airstrip, authorities said. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 Those features can also be useful from Monday through Friday, especially when the route to class or work includes damaged pavement, construction zones and gravel shortcuts. — New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gravel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravel
  1. hoarse
  2. baffle
  3. sand
  4. gruff
  5. puzzle
  6. soil
  7. husky
  8. confuse
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
  • Her unconventional breakdancing moves during her final performance against Lithuania’s Dominika Banevič (B-Girl Nicka) baffled audiences at home and cemented her as a meme royalty.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Host Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a true crime influencer, kidnapping survivor and former law enforcement officer, investigated the killing that has baffled Liz's family, friends and the community for seven years.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • Lunches can be taken at Da Gioia’s tiny stretch of smooth pebble beach (the rocky Amalfi’s coast version of white sand) at Marina Piccola, with space enough for 42 sun loungers at low tide and a private rentable section for 6-8 more.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • After much frustration from all parties, a line was drawn in the sand.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sand
Adjective
  • Pittsburgh was matched with Pete, the longtime rival of Mickey Mouse known for his gruff personality and larger-than-life presence.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And this character archetype — a man with a gruff exterior but a good heart — would become a through-line for his career.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruff
Verb
  • However, the largest drop in June occurred among prime-age workers, leaving several economists puzzled and surprised.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Whether El Niño will continue to strengthen is something Cole and her colleagues’ records can’t answer, but scientists are using climate models to try to puzzle that out.
    — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzle
Noun
  • This was a real life, post-WWII intelligence operation that relocated over 1,500 German engineers, scientists, and technicians — some confirmed to have been Nazis — in order to utilize their skills in and on behalf of American soil.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Farming perennials is less disruptive to that carbon-capturing soil.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of soil
Adjective
  • Tyler, after a brief recovery period, returned to the recording studio with a huskier, edgier voice.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • The extravagant, hi-NRG single showcased the breadth of Tyler’s husky grandeur, which proved a perfect fit for Giorgio Moroder.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
Definition of husky
Verb
  • Then began the desperate, confusing search for their colleagues.
    — Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Founders frequently misjudge their business's worth, often confusing revenue with actual value.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse

Browse Nearby Words

graved
gravel
gravel-blind
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravel. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gravel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gravel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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