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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Recent Examples of notches
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
The change was automatic; Fitch has a policy to keep its STSC ratings within six notches of the city’s.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Researchers analyzed thousands of crosses, dots, notches and lines.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Look to the scalloped notches on the edge of the wood bench, knots in the natural wood, and subtle gold accents as proof of that.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Still, Haugh is a few notches higher per EvanMiya analytics, plays way more minutes and is the Gators’ leading scorer.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Lægreid’s act is more than a few notches toward the latter.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
As if the hype surrounding BTS‘ upcoming fifth studio album, Arirang, wasn’t already sky high after the K-pop supergroup’s nearly four-year hiatus, producer Diplo just amped things up a few more notches.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Taking it up several notches is Kusa Nori, an incredible Japanese spot that may well rank as my top restaurant pick in Las Vegas.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
The change was automatic; Fitch has a policy to keep its STSC ratings within six notches of the city’s.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Researchers analyzed thousands of crosses, dots, notches and lines.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Look to the scalloped notches on the edge of the wood bench, knots in the natural wood, and subtle gold accents as proof of that.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Still, Haugh is a few notches higher per EvanMiya analytics, plays way more minutes and is the Gators’ leading scorer.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Lægreid’s act is more than a few notches toward the latter.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
As if the hype surrounding BTS‘ upcoming fifth studio album, Arirang, wasn’t already sky high after the K-pop supergroup’s nearly four-year hiatus, producer Diplo just amped things up a few more notches.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches
Noun
-
The researchers also say the laser could benefit industries that depend on nanoelectronics, including semiconductor manufacturing, by helping engineers detect extremely small defects in chips.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Pair modest, time‑bound duties with strong incentives for domestic components in EVs, batteries, chips, and industrial equipment.—
Paul S. Lavoie,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Chuparosa and brittlebush are flowering along the grade and in canyons.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Nicole Crosby, a deputy city attorney who lives in Clairemont, said bike lanes don’t make a lot of sense in communities like Clairemont where hills and canyons are a major challenge.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
April 20 – May 20 Steady steps feel especially comforting now.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Its location in the new upscale development of Takanawa Gateway City, puts guests in a less touristy and much quieter part of town, while still being steps away from major transportation hubs like Takanawa Gateway Station and Shinagawa Station.—
Lois Alter Mark,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After centuries of use, the board bore grooves and marks left by real human hands moving real pieces across its surface.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Bar Tab Dan Stahl grooves to a cover band in melting-pot midtown.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Moore paired her bob with leather separates, which consisted of a tight-fitting jacket and skinny pants with slits up the ankles.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Using sharp metal disks that spin, the machine carves slits into the soil and drops the grass seed into those slits.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If outside, seek shelter in low-lying areas like ditches or ravines.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The area has deep ravines and dense vegetation.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Speculation on munitions While the exact bombs used are not confirmed, the impact points resemble damage seen at Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities during previous operations.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Three Vandals finished in double figures in the win, led by sophomore guard Ana Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva with 12 points.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Stone villages cling to hillsides above orchards while rivers slice through limestone gorges below.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Then there’s the ice that’s been frozen in its tracks while cascading down cliffs and gorges.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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