scratch 1 of 2

scratch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to scrape
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface scratched his arm on a branch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to rub
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the branches of the willow tree scratch against the windowpane whenever the wind blows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to scribble
to write or draw hastily or carelessly scratched a quick doodle in the margins

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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 scratch
Noun
The musical had its first-ever scratch performance in 2017 at The Lowry, the venue in Manchester that co-commissioned the production and supported its early development. Dave Quinn, People.com, 28 May 2025 Photo : Boreham Motorworks These cars are brand-new vehicles hand-built from scratch, rather than created from existing shells. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Verb
Minutes before Sunday’s game, the Royals scratched second baseman Jonathan India from the lineup. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025 Despite this, there are safety considerations to keep in mind after being scratched by a feline. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Currently, the beaches of Torrey Pines are crowded with photographers hoping for that perfect picture of peregrine falcon chicks being raised in crude scrape nests placed on precarious perches, high on the sandstone cliffs.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • Injuries suffered by the officers included a groin injury, an ankle strain or stress fracture, a chest contusion, scrapes and bruising.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Arrive early, bring cash and a cart, dress for the heat, and don’t skip any rows—treasures can turn up anywhere.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • Combs ran the cash through a money counter in front of him, separating the bills into stacks of $10,000, Garcia recalled.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Better yet—especially for those with a delicate face of glam—there’s no need to rub the touchless formula in once it’s applied.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 May 2025
  • Keep the cables taut at all times, and protect the bark from rubbing by using rags or short sections of old garden hose.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Anthony scribbled themes and motifs from the English poet’s work.
    Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Reed, a scientist and one of the smartest men in the world, desperately scribbles out calculations trying to find a way to save the planet.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There’s no music, either, to soften or ennoble proceedings, only the indifferent murmur of weather over the startling debris of human conflict, or the slow creak of a galleon on lapping waters as sailors are sent cruelly to their deaths.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • My assumption is that most rational human beings would happily stay in a warm and cozy office and simply listen to the building creak and groan under the force of the violent gusts.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In the short run, using money to buy power and power to make money may shield them from Trump’s rages.
    Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • This could take up to 45 days for the money to eventually reach your account.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The Roommate, written by Jen Silverman and directed by Jack O’Brien, played at Broadway’s Booth Theatre from September 12, 2024 through December 15, 2024.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 June 2025
  • Dominguez also wrote lyrics with knife imagery and bought a combat knife online prior to the attacks, the prosecutor said.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Trump spoke to the top 220 investors of his meme coin at his Virginia golf club after flying there from the White House on a military helicopter.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Aniston, now 56, played a girl trying to stop his murderous rampage after his gold coins were stolen.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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