notch 1 of 2

noun

ˈnäch How to pronounce notch (audio)
Definition of notchnext
1
as in chip
a V-shaped cut usually on an edge or a surface lifted up the fence rail and positioned it in the notch cut into the post

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage try to get through the notch before the storm blows in

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in inch
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking sales for the album increased, and it moved up another notch on the music charts

Synonyms & Similar Words

notch

2 of 2

verb

as in to groove

Related 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 notch
Noun
Serial ‘90s rock legend collaborator Olivia Rodrigo added another notch to her belt at Lollapalooza over the weekend. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 This set has soft velvet fabric as well as notches to prevent clothing from slipping off. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
This movie looks to notch the third-biggest opening weekend domestically of Nolan’s impressive career and the best outside of the Batman franchise, behind The Dark Knight Rises with $160 million and 2008’s The Dark Knight at $158 million. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026 The fans inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse gathered to watch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever notch a win over the league’s best defense. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for notch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notch
  1. chip
  2. canyon
  3. inch
  4. groove
  5. slit
  6. ravine
  7. step
  8. indent
Noun
  • Following the successful first model, this iteration will feature binned A19 Pro chips, repurposed from iPhone 17 Pro production, which dictates its release timeline as chip stock accumulates.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia would supply computing hardware through the chip arrangement instead of directly funding construction.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of chip
Noun
  • Canine teams also have been used in the search through steep canyons and dense vegetation.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Defending Big Bend At Santa Elena Canyon, local river guide Billy Miller speaks into a megaphone – his voice slightly bouncing off the canyon walls.
    — Carlos Morales, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of canyon
Noun
  • Meanwhile the adaptive air suspension varies ground clearance from five inches (127 mm) up to nine inches (229 mm) and lowers automatically at highway speeds to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and cornering stability.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • He is described as a Black male, 5-foot-7-inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of inch
Verb
  • Remember that movement is just as important as the reflected light, so make sure your disco ball has enough room to spin, swing, and groove.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
  • These fans of the Grateful Dead gather, groove and keep the good vibes going even though there are no original band members on tour.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of groove
Noun
  • Side slits encourage airflow on hot, sticky days, and there are two for stashing small essentials.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Its stretchy, lightweight fabric and slits that reach above the knee keep you cool and comfortable.
    — Brooke Knappenberger, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of slit
Noun
  • Built into a natural ravine, the stadium’s site was used for ancient Greek athletic contests and later Roman spectacles before falling into centuries of disuse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Rising from near the Aegean coast to 9,573-foot Mytikas, Greece’s highest peak, the mountain encompasses forests, ravines, limestone cliffs, and alpine habitat with unusually rich plant diversity.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of ravine
Noun
  • The last step, then, is just how bullish the organization is on King’s offensive growth.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • While the district took a series of cost-cutting steps — including freezing spending on supplies, hiring and most new contracts, as well as laying off employees — successive budget updates showed the financial hole continuing to deepen.
    — Chaewon Chung August 16, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of step
Verb
  • Not soft, but tender enough to feel my fingers indent when gently squeezing them—perhaps two days away from being near perfectly ripe.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
  • All are distinctive, all indented subtly with Butler's happy-but-dead-eyed Bigface logo.
    — Pete Cottell, Wired News, 24 Nov. 2025
Definition of indent

Phrases Containing notch

Browse Nearby Words

notations
notch
notchback
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Notch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notch. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on notch

Nglish: Translation of notch for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All