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
Moving beyond the bit system, the Adapter also includes a snap-in T-shank fitting right inside the notch around the joint. — New Atlas, 21 July 2026 Speculation season, also known as NBA free agency, turned up a notch when LeBron James entered the fray. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Verb
In the game, the star notched 30 points, three rebounds, and two assists, leading the team to victory thanks to a crucial fourth-quarter performance. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 June 2026 After four weeks, those with moderate-to-severe depression and low-grade inflammation who took tocilizumab (commonly sold under the brand name Actemra), an immunosuppressant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by lowering a specific type of inflammation, seemed to notch improvements. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 June 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
  • Businesses must recognize that open weights, while offering model control, don't address critical issues like chip access, data provenance, or the auditability of AI agent actions, demanding proactive planning for governance and liability.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Professor Burn Lin, Distinguished Research Chair at NTHU, said the university aims to accelerate the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies while training engineers for Taiwan’s globally significant chip industry.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Definition of chip
Noun
  • The space offers nearly 360-degree views of the surrounding canyon, and the menu offers classic pub food, burgers and house beer.
    — London Lyle, Denver Post, 24 July 2026
  • Stewart grabs the ring activating it, before the car crashes in the canyon below.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Definition of canyon
Noun
  • Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals to 6 inches through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida through southern Louisiana.
    — MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Goodall uses one-inch foam underlay beneath his rings — a specification that has since become mandatory for professional boxing in Britain.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of inch
Verb
  • Snow sings about getting her princess groove back, butts heads with her Evil Queen stepmother (a campy Gal Gadot) and gets a little help from her short new friends.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • In the game, as in real life, dancers groove in the iconic Cheesman Park Pavilion.
    — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 9 July 2026
Definition of groove
Noun
  • Starship is designed to launch 60 Starlink V3 satellites at a time, spitting them out through a slit-like payload bay door like a giant PEZ candy dispenser.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 25 July 2026
  • Starship released the Starlink V3s using its Pez-like deployer, tossing them overboard through a slit-like opening on the side of the spacecraft.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026
Definition of slit
Noun
  • Both vehicles went into a nearby ravine and the tree line, a police report said.
    — Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • On the steel side, Phantom’s Revenge turns 25, still dropping riders 232 feet into the ravine at speeds around 85 mph and earning national attention as a USA TODAY 10Best‑nominated coaster.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of ravine
Noun
  • But with France about to enter its peak August tourist season, Gironde authorities took more steps to keep vacationers away, banning holiday camps for children and for people with disabilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 July 2026
  • Draft the outline, record the practice clip, or take the first step.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 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 29 Jul. 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 inveigle

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All