1
2
as in canyons
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 steps
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of notches
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
While porchetta alone is delicious, adding mustard — particularly your own homemade mustard — elevates it another couple of notches.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
These notches resemble the teeth on a saw blade.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
The newfound harmony and hard salary cap are both notches in the league’s growth story.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2025
This two-pack, yes, hangs over a closet door, but actually extends outward 13 additional inches, with seven notches for hangers.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
The ex-Indiana Pacers star took his prediction up 10 more notches and sent a warning shot to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who holds the NBA’s all-time three-point record.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
No design elements compel particular notice, but their combination lands a couple notches safely above the telegenically bland.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The barrels have little notches that really grip the hair and keep it in place.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Temperatures on Friday are expected to rise no higher than 15 degrees in Denver, with the thermometer dipping to a few notches above zero tonight.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
While porchetta alone is delicious, adding mustard — particularly your own homemade mustard — elevates it another couple of notches.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
These notches resemble the teeth on a saw blade.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
The newfound harmony and hard salary cap are both notches in the league’s growth story.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2025
This two-pack, yes, hangs over a closet door, but actually extends outward 13 additional inches, with seven notches for hangers.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
The ex-Indiana Pacers star took his prediction up 10 more notches and sent a warning shot to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who holds the NBA’s all-time three-point record.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
No design elements compel particular notice, but their combination lands a couple notches safely above the telegenically bland.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The barrels have little notches that really grip the hair and keep it in place.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches
Noun
-
Its core business is semiconductor test systems, which verify that chips function properly and meet performance and durability standards before they are shipped.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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This funding is directed toward data centers and Nvidia chips.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Yet, these sleek, wild, predator cats roam the foothills and mountains from Ventura to San Diego, slipping in and out of millions of backyards and dozens of local canyons mostly unseen, except for those fuzzy images captured by trail cameras and home surveillance videos.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Picture sipping coffee as the sun rises over the Rockies, or gliding past red rock canyons en route to Glacier National Park, all from the comfort of a panoramic observation car.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Now, just two months after the Apopka community mourned the deaths of three teenagers on that dark stretch of Welch, Orange County is taking steps to make the road safer.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal takes meaningful steps to address these challenges by expanding the types of affordable housing projects that qualify for Type II actions and a more streamlined environmental review process.—
Carlina Rivera,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen gives these bright copper nails indents and grooves for a unique way to dress them up.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Dec. 2025
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In the spring, Caltrans intends to remove the channelizers and put in what are called rumble strips — in this case, grooves in the roadway — from the School-State Park turnoff to Newport Coast Drive, to gently jar off-course drivers to attention.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The strap is pinched at the center and features two open slits on each side.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The two side slits add another layer of effortlessness.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So where fiber connections may be expensive to make (think rivers and ravines, for instance), or where permitting is very challenging, FSO could provide just the solution.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
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However, the weeks surrounding them can provide spectacular views of their own, as the line separating night from day, known as the terminator, sweeps across its surface, throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table has been whittled down to just four points.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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In 30 games, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Then there’s the ice that’s been frozen in its tracks while cascading down cliffs and gorges.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
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Turn off your notifications and explore the string of eight state parks in the area, marveling at massive waterfalls, river gorges, and sweeping Superior views.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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