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.
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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
-
For those who don’t live in the region, mesquite chips used for grilling and smoking may be their only point of reference.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The technology is intangible, but refreshingly physical in its reliance on nuts and bolts, chips, gas turbines — for which there is currently a seven-year waiting list for the unluckiest and least-important customers — and land.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Along the way, the train passes through dense forests and narrow river canyons.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The fire reached about 40 acres in a spot where brushy canyons, ridges and thick palm tree groves meet with hilltop communities.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Their findings provide a blueprint for improving efficiency, stability, and scalability, key steps toward mass deployment and alignment with China’s carbon neutrality goals.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Aside from the now-pedestrian ability to count steps, the watches purportedly can spot possible atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) and sleep apnea.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 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
-
Katie Holmes, Selena Gomez, and many fashion editors have also been seen wearing this cult coat, which has softly draped shawl lapels, dropped shoulders and slits at the seams.—
Emma Spedding,
Vogue,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The boat neck and side slits mean the top moves with you and doesn't feel restrictive.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One of the original Florida state parks, opened to the public in 1935, the 13,000-acre expanse felt more like Georgia or North Carolina with its high plateaus, steep ravines, waterfalls, and seasonal foliage.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Beyond installing coils or rails, the process requires road resurfacing, upgraded power lines, and new grid interface points.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Before being subbed out for his last break of the game, Antetokounmpo scored or assisted on all 10 points the Bucks scored in the first three minutes and 45 seconds of the final quarter.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Rather uniquely, this area is overshadowed by gorges and massive mountains, which block out city lights.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Apart from the gorges and cliffs, the area features beautiful waterfalls and rock shelters.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Notches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notches. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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