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
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
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The agency’s Ba2 rating on South Africa’s sovereign debt — two notches below investment grade — will not be affected.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Inside Blue Hill’s round tower, which stands three stories tall with castle-like notches at the top, two weather observers, Douglas and Amanda Joly, share an office filled with the results of their daily work.
—Laura Martin Agudelo, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Everything is turned up a few delicious notches.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
Standard hangers with notches Many basic plastic hangers feature small notches along the shoulders, designed to hold garment straps in place.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
A lot of standard plastic closet hangers — the ones with little clips or notches meant for straps or accessories — can double as makeshift chip clips.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Standard hangers with notches Many standard plastic hangers have small notches or grooves along the top, originally designed to hold garment straps or accessories in place.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Your Closet Hangers Are Secret Snack Savers A lot of standard plastic closet hangers — the kind with little clips or notches meant for straps or accessories — can double as makeshift chip clips.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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, 8 May 2026
The agency’s Ba2 rating on South Africa’s sovereign debt — two notches below investment grade — will not be affected.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Inside Blue Hill’s round tower, which stands three stories tall with castle-like notches at the top, two weather observers, Douglas and Amanda Joly, share an office filled with the results of their daily work.
—Laura Martin Agudelo, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Everything is turned up a few delicious notches.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
Standard hangers with notches Many basic plastic hangers feature small notches along the shoulders, designed to hold garment straps in place.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
A lot of standard plastic closet hangers — the ones with little clips or notches meant for straps or accessories — can double as makeshift chip clips.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Standard hangers with notches Many standard plastic hangers have small notches or grooves along the top, originally designed to hold garment straps or accessories in place.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Your Closet Hangers Are Secret Snack Savers A lot of standard plastic closet hangers — the kind with little clips or notches meant for straps or accessories — can double as makeshift chip clips.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches
Noun
-
China has yet to approve imports of Nvidia chips that Washington previously cleared for sale.—
Neil Shearing,
Time,
20 May 2026
-
Manigault was looking around the refrigerators and rows of chips when the man followed him in.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
To make the case, everyone who cares about the magnificent red-rock canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Southern Utah needs to act now.—
Scott Braden,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
That diversity is reflected in the country’s landscapes—from desert canyons to alpine peaks and coastal shores—as well as in its regional cuisines, local traditions, and one-of-a-kind experiences.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Vulcano About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Boone, meanwhile, hung his head in dissatisfaction on the steps of the Yankees’ dugout.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
So, let’s close out Night 2 with a big helping of soulful island reggae grooves from Maui’s Maoli on the HelloFresh Stage.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
-
Cruz grooves onstage with the mystique of a natural rock star — this could well be her ultimate Hall of Fame moment.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These capri pants have a drawstring waist, side pockets, and subtle slits, and they’re designed to hit just below the knees on most people.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
The sleeveless gown included thigh-high slits at the sides and was crafted with ornate embroidery in jeweled tones of green and blue.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Madeira’s cliffs and ravines are difficult enough that many walking holidays there are guided and focused on one part of the island, including the eight-mile forest hike through Ribeiro Frio.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
-
The manhunt has so far been contained to Stewart County, where search crews are up against an immediate terrain of steep hills with deep ravines or hollows, the sheriff said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
At points the historical record is more fantastical than Vidal’s fictional retelling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
Four classes were held over the weekend, and competitors accumulated points over time.—
Ross Mantle,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Dimitsana and Arcadian mountain trails The heartland of the Peloponnese is Arcadia, a mountainous province of gorges and hills, many precariously topped by medieval towns.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The island’s eastern region of Lasithi is home to dramatic gorges, small mountain villages, Europe’s largest natural palm forest—and fewer crowds.—
Yulia Denisyuk,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
