Thesaurus results for NOTCHES

notches 1 of 2

noun

plural of notch

as in chips

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

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

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

notches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of notch

as in grooves

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 notches

Noun

Doody, a former radio host, also supports school choice and opposes a millionaire tax, two notches in his favor. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 Political handicapping has a way of knocking people down a couple of notches. — Nathan Gonzales Cq-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 Tiny flakes landed on their hair, their sleeves and hands, the curves and notches of the gun. — Tom Drury, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Nevermind made a modest debut on the chart that week, at Number 144, just four notches behind Warrant’s year-old Cherry Pie — proof that the gods of rock & roll irony have a sick sense of humor. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026 One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Opportunities like Chreece are notches in the burgeoning rapper’s belt. — Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026 This set has soft velvet fabric as well as notches to prevent clothing from slipping off. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 Oracle carries a rating of Baa2 with a negative outlook, placing it just two notches above junk status. — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches

Noun

Hardware demand Despite these concerns, the sector's hunger for chips doesn't seem to be letting up, as seen in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's record quarter.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
But while Broadcom can profit from selling chips, the AI labs buying computing power must still find enough paying customers to cover the cost of developing and running their models.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of chips

Noun

The last major blaze to sweep through the area was the 2018 Woolsey Fire, meaning brush in most of those canyons has not been cleared for about eight years.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
By morning, firefighting aircraft were back in the air dropping water on the Bryson fire in Malibu while the sound of generators purchased by outage-weary residents and business owners buzzed through the canyons.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of canyons

Noun

After receiving a notice, an insurer may investigate the allegations, dispute them, or take steps to cure the alleged violation.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
With far-right and far-left candidates in the lead to become France’s next president in the spring, markets are losing confidence that either side will take the painful steps necessary to rein in the deficit.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of steps

Verb

His drive found the bunker down the left side, slightly down because of the rake grooves.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Each one is see-through, so all the contents are organized but still in view, and the lids feature grooves for secure stacking.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of grooves

Noun

For the Paris premiere of The Odyssey on July 8, Zendaya wore the same lace jacket over a sheer skirt with dramatic slits on the sides.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026
Plus, the side slits are practically made for showing off a pair of tall boots this fall.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of slits

Noun

This 150-acre Clayton County preserve sits near shopping centers and busy roads, but its trails wind through woodlands, ravines and ponds that feel worlds away from metro Atlanta.

— Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Many more were imperiled by muddy water racing through the narrow ravines, sparking frantic rescue missions for dozens.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ravines

Noun

The Horned Frogs’ defense deserves a ton of credit for shutting down a Baylor offense that scored 55 points and rolled up 564 yards in its last game against Arizona State.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
But scoring just 14 points against a Carolina defense that allowed 59 points earlier this season is not good enough.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026