graze 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈgrāz How to pronounce graze (audio)
Definition of grazenext
as in to pasture
to feed on grass or herbs cows grazing in the meadow

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graze

2 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to scrape
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface I grazed my elbow diving for the ball

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing the volleyball just grazed my face, so I'm okay

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

graze

3 of 3

noun

as in bruise
an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface a stumble that resulted in nothing more serious than a graze on the knee

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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 graze
Verb
Spraying aggressive pesticides on our food is not natural nor healthy–and not regenerative–so the geese function as a natural form of pest control, grazing the weeds and grasses, while allowing their manure to act as fertilizer for the soil. — Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Black killed his target, Kevon Lee, 41, and grazed an innocent 58-year-old man nearby in the foot, police said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026
Noun
Officers initially found a 32-year-old woman who was shot in the back and a 44-year-old man with graze wounds. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 20 June 2026 Tiara was hit in her side and her arm and had graze wounds on her hip and back. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for graze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graze
  1. pasture
  2. scrape
  3. brush
  4. bruise
  5. feed
  6. scratch
  7. kiss
  8. abrasion
Verb
  • Sadly, the last Blockbuster (aside from one defiant Bend, Oregon, outlier) went out to pasture in 2014, and independent video stores are an increasingly rare sight.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026
  • In Wisconsin, dairy farms are smaller, herds are smaller, and cows are usually sent out to pasture to graze in good weather, which is not easy to come by in Wisconsin.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of pasture
Verb
  • The tool scrapes third-party sources to compile additional information and context about individual tracks.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
  • Firms have been scraping Truth Social data for months, in violation of TMTG’s terms of ⁠service, ​according to a spokesperson.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 16 July 2026
Definition of scrape
Verb
  • Gifford tried to brush him off, Harville later told investigators.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 July 2026
  • Blaney won the first two stages but brushed the wall with 29 laps remaining, causing possible damage on his right side, after he was cut off by Wallace.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of brush
Noun
  • Smurf played with bumps and bruises and half a tooth at one point against Georgia Tech.
    — Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Look Look for a firm watermelon that is free from bruises, cuts or dents.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 15, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of bruise
Verb
  • For the latest schedule and information, consult the pop-ups’ Instagram feeds.
    — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • That's [people's] only way of bringing in income to feed their families.
    — Lee V. Gaines, NPR, 14 July 2026
Definition of feed
Verb
  • Gypsum can also be applied around the plants at a rate of about 5 pounds per 100 square feet and carefully scratched into the soil.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • Older dogs stiffen up, scratch more, lose a step, and their owners want to help.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of scratch
Verb
  • The pair kissed at the altar and posed for photographs at the Spanish Colonial Revival Mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • After a few minutes, the patty is flipped and the onions get kissed with heat.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of kiss
Noun
  • The outsole is made of abrasion-resistant, flexible and recyclable rubber and sports hybrid nubs, grooves and sawtooth traction patterns.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • According to the lawsuit, the toddler was taken to the emergency room later that day for evaluation of blunt head trauma and was diagnosed with a concussion, traumatic brain injury and facial abrasions.
    — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of abrasion

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grays
graze
grazed
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Cite this Entry

“Graze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graze. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on graze

Nglish: Translation of graze for Spanish Speakers

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