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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
  • In the next few years, expect to see even more people quietly stacking cash from their living rooms, offering hyper-specific products and services and never worrying about beating the algorithm.
    King Holder, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
  • Why that spot is so coveted is obvious: both finalists need the cash.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 21 May 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
  • Supporters say the extra money is a smart investment because of the crucial decisions council members and the mayor must make, including reading contracts, making policies and understanding proposals to make nuanced changes to city laws and codes.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • The Army and Marine Corps also use the money to woo troops to some combat, armor and artillery jobs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • One study in The New York Times in 2020 showed that 95% of over 7,000 books surveyed were written by white people.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Even flawed testing provides valuable information — including how tests might be better written.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 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
  • An affiliate of The Trump Organization and the company Fight Fight Fight LLC own 80% of the meme coins, according to the cryptocurrency's website.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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