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
Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
For those keeping score at home, that means two more notches in the Republican column in the redistricting race.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
This psychological thriller—which follows a young woman who becomes convinced that an antique mirror is haunting her family—cranks the fear-o-meter up a few notches.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
The barrels have little notches that really grip the hair and keep it in place.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
For those keeping score at home, that means two more notches in the Republican column in the redistricting race.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
This psychological thriller—which follows a young woman who becomes convinced that an antique mirror is haunting her family—cranks the fear-o-meter up a few notches.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches
Noun
-
In an interview with Fortune, Brockman described building AGI as an end-to-end engineering challenge, one that spans everything from how the models are designed to the chips, servers, and data centers that power the training and running of models.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That is, until Tuesday, when amid a surprise turnaround in 2025, Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard pushed all of his chips to the center of the table and acquired star cornerback Sauce Gardner in a trade with the New York Jets.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The guru and demon clashed against snowy peaks, barren canyons, and dusty trails until the guru finally prevailed in gruesome fashion, scattering the demon’s entrails and blood across the landscape.—
Joe Baur,
Outside,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The film is also the director’s love letter to a bygone Los Angeles era, a lost world of louche glamor, with actors, directors, hippies, and hustlers roaming the city’s studio lots, canyons, and hills.—
Jay Glennie,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These incremental steps have helped the coffee chain stem a sales decline in China since earlier this year, with comparable sales returning to growth in the past two quarters.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Stepping rearward from that compartment on the right travel side of the trailer, the main entry door welcomes campers into the open living area while the rear entry door a couple steps farther back provides direct access to the bathroom.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And perhaps Edwards’ absence will force the likes of Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo to find more consistent offense grooves out of necessity and volume.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Six strong permanent magnets attach the X50’s sole dust filter to its bottom panel, and grooves at the base of its feet lock one edge into place.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The top has a classic V-stitch on the neckline and a wide hem complete with side slits.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Using sharp paring knife, cut four 1 1/2-inch long slits in top of dough (think of a clock for slit placement at 12,3,6,9 positions).—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And at Wallow Hallow Woods, tucked across the ravines and slopes unscathed by fire, beech and maple trees still grow.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Gullies and ravines meant to bring water back into the system have been cleared before the storm to help prevent excess flooding, but rain continues to pour over the island.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Bucks did exactly what Antetokounmpo asked, playing the Warriors tough all night and eventually pulling out a win behind a career-high 32 points from Ryan Rollins.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Heat forward Andrew Wiggins contributed a season-high 21 points.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Apart from the gorges and cliffs, the area features beautiful waterfalls and rock shelters.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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