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

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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 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 The new research found that children in nearly every region of the world are not eating enough fruits, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and starchy vegetables. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Toss until the tomato juices and starchy pasta water emulsify to create a glossy sauce that evenly coats the noodles, adding more pasta water as needed. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 Pair with a side of non-starchy vegetables or a side salad instead of chips. — Verywell Health, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for starchy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for starchy

Adjective

Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Between now and then, there is much parsing of the 16-track album’s rich content to be done, with millions of words of formal and informal think-pieces to come.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of formal

Adjective

What used to be called UFOs and now go by the more decorous handle of UAPs—or unidentified anomalous phenomena—are being given the full investigatory treatment.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
The press coverage in Austria and Germany had been relatively decorous.

— William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of decorous

Adjective

New York has a nice blend of skill and compete in a system that should produce reliable NHL talent but still has a lot of work ahead in this next rebuild.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

The service Service here is warm and deeply personal rather than stiff or overly formal.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
That double-helix structure is the secret to the tusk’s remarkable stiffness and strength, with the flexible fibers and stiff mineral matrix enabling the tusk to withstand strong forces, like bending and twisting without cracking.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 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

Those of us who despise Trumpism too rarely asked ourselves whether Trump’s efforts to conceal an apparently consensual relationship with Stormy Daniels were the proper grounds for prosecution.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
There’s a proper kitchen built for actual cooking, and city views round it out as a solid base for spending some serious time in.

— Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of proper

Adjective

Everyone predicted the scoreline of each of the 10 Premier League matches each gameweek, with points awarded for correct guesses and a league table kept track of who was leading.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
This week's total solar eclipse captured the world's attention, and millions of skywatchers looked up (with the correct protective eyewear, hopefully) to experience the moon blocking out our star's light.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026