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scrawl

verb
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\ ˈskrȯl How to pronounce scrawl (audio) \
scrawled; scrawling; scrawls

Definition of scrawl

transitive verb

: to write or draw awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly scrawled his name

intransitive verb

: to write awkwardly or carelessly
Other Words from scrawl Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about scrawl

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Other Words from scrawl

scrawl noun
scrawler noun
scrawly \ ˈskrȯ-​lē How to pronounce scrawly (audio) \ adjective

Examples of scrawl in a Sentence

She scrawled her signature on the receipt. scrawled a quick note, stuck it in their mailbox, and hurried off
Recent Examples on the Web Madison Hinson died of cancer and Hontzas had scrawled her name on the tape. — al, "Hoover beats defending Class 7A champ with clutch kick," 24 Aug. 2019 Two former classmates told The Associated Press that Betts was suspended from Bellbrook High School after a hit list was found scrawled in a school bathroom. — Bloomberg.com, "FBI Reviewing Ohio Shooter's Interest in Violent Ideology," 6 Aug. 2019 On Ashley’s 21st birthday in November 2017, her family had a party with candles, cake, and a poster scrawled with heartsick entreaties to please come home. — Eric Ogden, Marie Claire, "The Invisible Victims," 10 June 2019 On the back of his sign, local graffiti artists had scrawled a few intriguing messages. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "It's Israel's election but here's why Donald Trump is the 'King of Israel'," 16 Sep. 2019 The substitute teacher, who had scrawled the day’s assignment on a board, seemed disconnected, hardly looking up from her desk as one student played music from his phone’s speaker. — BostonGlobe.com, "ada Pierre is tiny, her ambition drawn taut as a bowstring. The 16-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants wears her hair in a small bun atop her head, her emerging political consciousness finding its voice in the bevy of Black Lives Matter and #MeToo stickers she’s pasted to her MacBook.," 15 Sep. 2019 Also in June, a man was caught on surveillance video scrawling an anti-Semitic phrase on the front door of a medical office in Harlem, police said. — Mark Morales, CNN, "New York police say there's been a surge in anti-Semitic hate crimes," 4 Sep. 2019 Unfortunately, as captured by The Sun, the sign has now been vandalised, with the words 'Pogba Out' scrawled across the board. — SI.com, "Vandals Paint Anti-Paul Pogba Message Outside Man Utd Training Ground," 28 Aug. 2019 Adding to the mystery: some writing was scrawled in black on the doll’s forehead. — oregonlive, "Pennywise the clown floated into woman’s backyard. She burned it, then slept with a knife.," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrawl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of scrawl

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for scrawl

origin unknown

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Statistics for scrawl

Last Updated

3 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for scrawl

The first known use of scrawl was in 1612

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More Definitions for scrawl

scrawl

verb
How to pronounce scrawl (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of scrawl

: to write or draw (something) very quickly or carelessly

See the full definition for scrawl in the English Language Learners Dictionary

scrawl

verb
\ ˈskrȯl How to pronounce scrawl (audio) \
scrawled; scrawling

Kids Definition of scrawl

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to write quickly and carelessly

scrawl

noun

Kids Definition of scrawl (Entry 2 of 2)

: something written carelessly or without skill His signature is just a scrawl.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scrawl

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scrawl

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with scrawl

Spanish Central: Translation of scrawl

Nglish: Translation of scrawl for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of scrawl for Arabic Speakers

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