etching 1 of 2

Definition of etchingnext

etching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of etch
1
as in engraving
to cut (as letters or designs) on a hard surface the artist etched his landscape on a copper plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in imprinting
to produce a vivid impression of in just a few pages the writer etched an unforgettable portrait of one of the more remarkable First Ladies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 etching
Noun
Dull spots are typically caused by etching, which can occur when acidic substances or harsh cleaning products come into contact with the stone. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 June 2026 In Dish Jockey, an etching from 1993, a harried woman in a bandanna (shades of Rosie the Riveter) scrubs dishes while an ensemble of Tinkerbell-like housekeepers complete other chores nearby. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Verb
The crew had bulldozed a 70-foot swath through the Las Playas Intaglio, a 200-foot long earthen etching in the shape of a fish that was at least 6,500 years old. — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026 The shop is known for its ukiyo-e, or Japanese woodblock, prints, as well as for its use of etching, aquatint, monotype, screen-printing, and digital hybrid methods. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for etching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for etching
Noun
  • Known for her charcoal drawings, abstract paintings of New York City skyscrapers, and depictions of the nature, particularly in the American southwest, she is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • More than 300,000 other tickets sold in the United States also won prizes ranging from $10 to $30,000 in the drawing, the lottery said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • For the work, Harvey drew on ancient jewelry in the Met collection from Greece, India, and China, and then spent time in the Manufacture learning guillochage, a technique for engraving intricate patterns like leaves and flowers onto metal.
    — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Although Craven’s touch is missing, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett honor his memory by mimicking his style while engraving their own slick mark.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At the Palazzo Reale, an entire wall is punctuated by Picabia’s loose pencil and watercolor studies of the severe faces of Sevillian women, dark tresses piled high under lace mantillas.
    — Nicole Kaack, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In today’s commercial age of plenty, the most important task of the dust jacket is to match a book to your mood, from the pastoral watercolor tones of the travel narrative or cosy domestic romance, to the dark hues of the murder mystery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Roupp could not recall previously inscribing that message on his cap during a game.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
  • Like inscribing shell casings, communicating messages in connection with high-profile acts of violence has a long history.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Musée d’Orsay has La Matinée rose (The Pink Morning), a 1874 pastel acquired by the French state in 1885.
    — Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • If your nail style leans a little moodier, consider swapping your usual pastel for an espresso manicure.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 26 July 2026
Verb
  • Starting out, Firstman didn’t dare dream of ascending the stairs to the Grand Palais or carving a path to the Oscars stage.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
  • After spending much of the year carving out a broad rounded base, shares established resistance around $130-$135 before a smaller rounded handle formed in September and October.
    — Jay Woods, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The same sale includes an untitled 1968 acrylic on paper by Mark Rothko (estimate $10–$15 million), which appears to have been consigned by Ed Rabin, the former president of Hyatt Hotels, and his wife, Jackie.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • An acrylic and ink work on paper by artist Julie Wolfe, which Colgan gave to her husband for their first wedding anniversary, hangs over the bed.
    — Sallie Lewis, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • But beyond the virality of gua sha face tools, often used to define facial features by promoting lymphatic drainage and blood flow, is a new massage cream that comes with its very own sculpting applicator.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • From sculpting facial massages to body brushes and compression boots, there are seemingly endless ways to coax away puffiness and encourage a more contoured appearance.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Etching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/etching. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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