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
Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
The newfound harmony and hard salary cap are both notches in the league’s growth story.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2025
This two-pack, yes, hangs over a closet door, but actually extends outward 13 additional inches, with seven notches for hangers.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
The ex-Indiana Pacers star took his prediction up 10 more notches and sent a warning shot to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who holds the NBA’s all-time three-point record.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
No design elements compel particular notice, but their combination lands a couple notches safely above the telegenically bland.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
These notches resemble the teeth on a saw blade.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
The newfound harmony and hard salary cap are both notches in the league’s growth story.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2025
This two-pack, yes, hangs over a closet door, but actually extends outward 13 additional inches, with seven notches for hangers.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
The ex-Indiana Pacers star took his prediction up 10 more notches and sent a warning shot to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who holds the NBA’s all-time three-point record.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
No design elements compel particular notice, but their combination lands a couple notches safely above the telegenically bland.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notches
Noun
-
The vehicle is powered by an in-vehicle supercomputer built around eight NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor system-on-chips based on the Blackwell GPU architecture.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Semiconductor manufacturing requires huge amounts of ultra-clean water to rinse residue from silicon chips during the fabrication process, resulting in wastewater that contains pollutants, including heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems and humans.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Guests will have the chance to explore gorgeous beaches, canyons and cliffs outside, then relax by Mailena’s pool or in the Wellness and Longevity Center, featuring saunas, sensory deprivation tanks and biohacking suites.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That time, the fire department fought back with an almost orchestral force — convoys of trucks, helicopters hovering low in the smoke, tankers trailing lines of crimson retardant through the canyons.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The shop is housed in a former beauty salon, steps from the bakery.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen gives these bright copper nails indents and grooves for a unique way to dress them up.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Dec. 2025
-
In the spring, Caltrans intends to remove the channelizers and put in what are called rumble strips — in this case, grooves in the roadway — from the School-State Park turnoff to Newport Coast Drive, to gently jar off-course drivers to attention.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This year's event, which is hosted by Chelsea Handler, also drew Teyana Taylor, Jessica Biel, Meghann Fahy and more stars who stepped out in classic silhouettes, modern suiting, dangerously high slits and so much more.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Fixmatti Two-Piece Knit Sweatsuit Between the high-neckline, side slits, cuffed hemline, and wide-leg pants, this Fixmatti Two-Piece Knit Sweatsuit screams quiet luxury.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So where fiber connections may be expensive to make (think rivers and ravines, for instance), or where permitting is very challenging, FSO could provide just the solution.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
-
However, the weeks surrounding them can provide spectacular views of their own, as the line separating night from day, known as the terminator, sweeps across its surface, throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Horned Frogs wouldn’t get within 10 points the rest of the way.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Both teams scored 14 points in that final period, with Matthew Stafford’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson the killing blow with 38 seconds left.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Overnight at the Turkey Run State Park Inn, which has both a lodge and cabins set in 2,382 acres of woods and sandstone gorges.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In West Virginia, many of the thousands of bridges spanning mountain valleys and gorges are named for local veterans and on Main Streets in small towns, banners feature hometown soldiers, some of whom fought and died in past conflicts.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
6 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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