STARCHY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

starchy

adjective

ˈstär-chē

Definition of starchy

as in formal

marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details a starchy and demanding teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 starchy Drain, but — and this is vital — reserve the salty, starchy pasta cooking water. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 That book collection or set of old scrapbooks might be serving as a starchy food source and a humid environment for the bug. — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026 Forget cookies or ice cream—put me within arm’s reach of a bag of salty, fried, starchy goodness and all my willpower disappears. — Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for starchy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for starchy

Adjective

In one of those roles, the chair assembled a formal transition committee that met with me throughout my first six months.

— Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
This most recent collection from McCartney features a massive array of differing styles ranging from casual to chic and formal, with Stern’s choice of the elegant bodice an excellent one for the Albie Awards.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of formal

Adjective

Also, a foul ball hit by almost any player would be a nice souvenir.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Sure enough, there were a few hares in the field and the grass was just long enough to give a bit of protection to the hares and set a nice backdrop for the photographs.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

Purple coneflowers produce high-fat, protein-rich seeds on stiff cones that maintain their shape despite harsh weather.

— Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
In 2022, Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), an autoimmune neurological disorder that affects about one in a million people and has no cure.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stiff

Adjective

It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of ceremonious

Adjective

There was just one white—Blanc de Lynch-Bages 2025—so everyone got that one correct.

— Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
During radiotherapy, small tattoos can help clinicians repeatedly align radiation beams with the correct treatment area.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026