1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
that gray, cottony spot on the bread is mold
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
fluffy, cottony hair
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of cottony
An egg mass of the citrus mealybug looks like a small, white, cottony mass on the underside of a leaf.
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2024
There, the thickly forested ranges perched on a shelf of cottony clouds, offering a view of the mountaintop complex modeled after 16th century Vietnamese pagodas, including a 10-story belfry, a network of stone staircases and a giant seated Buddha.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
Ladybugs have also been introduced to the Galapagos to reduce cottony cushion scale and have been beneficial there as well.
—Susan Pransky, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2023
Come springtime, a perimeter of blossoming dogwoods will enfold the clearing in a cottony veil.
—Curbed, 13 Nov. 2022
Buy medium eggplant that is not cottony or bruised.
—The View, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2022
Mealy bugs are distinguished by the white wax covering their body and egg sacs that give them a cottony appearance.
—oregonlive, 11 Nov. 2019
The white, cottony look is due to a waxy coating that conceals the insects and their egg masses.
—Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 29 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cottony
Adjective
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The 28-year-old actor appeared on the Dec. 12 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with his latest look, a thin mustache and his normally long curly hair trimmed in a shorter, shaggy crop.Hedy Phillips, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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Take a cue from the Olsen handbook and look for shaggy details, longline shapes, and reversible designs.Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This gorgeous cleanser transforms from a rich balm to a silky milk once water is added.Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Each piece has a smooth and silky surface with a balanced weight.Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The TikTok trends that coined wacky new terms, the brand scandals that got everyone checking their lot numbers, the most memorable celebrity makeup moments—this is your final exam on 2024’s hairiest, happiest, and most helpful beauty stories.Marci Robin, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024
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In a heartbreaking moment, Driggs lifts his hairy little arms up to his human, beseeching him to take him back.Erin Qualey, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 18 Jan. 2023
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Chadwick says that over the last 10 years, football has acted as a glue: managing the country’s image and profile through soft power and diplomacy.Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
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The bird thrives in alpine grasslands, feeding on tussock grass by stripping its leaves to reach the soft bases.Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mature king penguins have four total layers of feathers—three downy inner layers, topped by an oily waterproof outer layer.Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024
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That said, Beatty’s portrayal of the harried, discursive, libidinous George is irresistible even without context, as is the performance given by a young Goldie Hawn, who illuminates every frame—and perfectly counteracts Beatty—with blonde California light, and a heart-melting, downy innocence.Vogue, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cottony
Cite this Entry
“Cottony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cottony. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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