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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of notches
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
Ultraviolette's taken things up a few notches this time around, by adding a 77-GHz rear radar with a large tracking cone to spot other vehicles coming at you within a 650-ft (200-m) range.
—New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
The sideways trading in Bitcoin comes as gold, the precious metal the original cryptoasset is often compared with, notches near-daily records.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Each inexplicably takes two notches off Hornet’s health (which starts at six max).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
These tools are thin, flimsy, and built with barbed notches on the side that are used to grabbing hair and break through soap scum or other debris to remove them from your drain.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Few love it as much when leveling the playing field means bumping them down a few notches.
—John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Down 1-0 at halftime, the Meteors turned it up a few notches after the break.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Told across seven hour-long episodes, Task takes its sweet time getting to know its characters, and as with Mare, Ingelsby’s patience and keen observation skills elevate this several notches above the standard TV crime drama.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
One of the easiest ways to distinguish a tree of heaven from look-a-likes are the small notches, or teeth, found at the base of each leaf.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
Ultraviolette's taken things up a few notches this time around, by adding a 77-GHz rear radar with a large tracking cone to spot other vehicles coming at you within a 650-ft (200-m) range.
—New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
The sideways trading in Bitcoin comes as gold, the precious metal the original cryptoasset is often compared with, notches near-daily records.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Each inexplicably takes two notches off Hornet’s health (which starts at six max).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
These tools are thin, flimsy, and built with barbed notches on the side that are used to grabbing hair and break through soap scum or other debris to remove them from your drain.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Few love it as much when leveling the playing field means bumping them down a few notches.
—John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Down 1-0 at halftime, the Meteors turned it up a few notches after the break.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Told across seven hour-long episodes, Task takes its sweet time getting to know its characters, and as with Mare, Ingelsby’s patience and keen observation skills elevate this several notches above the standard TV crime drama.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches
Noun
-
Mound a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, compost, or shredded leaves, around the base of the plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And the question of any kind of [chips] localization in Saudi Arabia … hasn’t knocked on our doors yet.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The area has flat dirt trails for hikers and bikers, rock canyons and open grass fields.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The hills of Bethpage State Park create miniature valleys and canyons throughout the property, and in turn, the grandstands from the 15th to 17th holes create an amphitheater of chaos encircled by huge video boards.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What steps should someone take when choosing a financial advisor?—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Since winning the primary in June, Mamdani has taken steps to come toward moderate voters who have been lukewarm in supporting him.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Place the parchment circle with the slits in it over the apples.—
Staff Author,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The hems are finished with seamed details and side slits.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The setting is breathtaking, with mountain ravines cascading away on either side.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The North course, par 71, 6,945 yards, challenges the most accomplished golfers with its ravines, wind and tricky greens, while the popular and more sedate and sheltered par-70, 6,580-yard South Course, with four ocean-side holes, invites and tests golfers of every level.—
Greg Mellen,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thomas finished just shy of a triple-double, contributing 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Each restaurant in Jefferson County is scored out of a possible 100 points.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Fall and winter boots often feature grooves on the bottom to help prevent slipping on ice and snow.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
How to get tickets For shoppers like Agresta, whether the needle ever scratches the grooves is beside the point.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Gates of Lodore trip, as it’s known, will cover 44 miles through three dramatic gorges—Lodore, Whirlpool, and Split Mountain—and two dozen mostly mild rapids in this remote, geologic wonderland along the Colorado-Utah border.—
John Briley,
Outside,
28 Sep. 2025
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Travelers can hike to the deep gorges of Gola di Gorropu or even traverse Sahara-like landscapes at the Dunes of Piscinas.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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