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scrape 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scrapenext
1
as in encounter
a brief clash between enemies or rivals he's had his share of scrapes with the law in the past

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in scratch
a harsh grating sound the scrape of a shovel on concrete

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bruise
an area of skin roughened or worn away by harsh rubbing against another surface scrapes that were caused by a too-tight harness

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scrape

2 of 2

verb

ˈskrāp How to pronounce scrape (audio)
1
as in to scratch
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the rusty old gate scrapes against the pavement whenever anyone opens it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to graze
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface she scraped her knee when she fell down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to grit
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound she scraped her fingernails across the chalkboard to get everyone's attention

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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 scrape
Noun
Such play could have caused superficial abrasions and scrapes, offering the bacterium an opening. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026 Eric Cartman The terrifically foul-mouthed, plus-sized adolescent made his debut in the pilot episode of South Park, which follows the japes and scrapes of Cartman and his pals Kyle, Stan, and Kenny in the titular Colorado enclave. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
Although most of the Mauritanian men came alone, Sy had sold his land and cars, scraping together $20,000 to bring his wife and their son, now 5. — Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Instead, reach for products designed to lift, not scrape, residue away. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrape
  1. encounter
  2. scratch
  3. bruise
  4. grit
  5. brush
  6. abrasion
  7. graze
Noun
  • Among the 14 movies vying for the Golden Eye is Rhys Marc Jones’ Black Church Bay, a mystery-thriller starring Tom Cullen and Joe Locke about a man whose world unravels after an intimate encounter with a younger man.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • My encounter with Tsuchiya, my very first PerfectStrangers match.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • The disease, which spreads through bites and scratches from infected animals, is most commonly carried by bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Henri Jokiharju The right-shot defenseman, who is entering the second season of a three-year, $9 million contract, served as a healthy scratch for four of the Bruins’ six playoff games against the Sabres.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of scratch
Noun
  • The woman, 37, was found half naked with bruises on her body and tied up with cables.
    — Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Autopsy photos displayed in court revealed welts, bruises and scars all over the boy’s body, and police found ropes and chains in the apartment that witnesses said were used to restrain him.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bruise
Verb
  • Bugs Bunny jams himself against the edge and grits his teeth in agony.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But credit Skubal for gritting it out each time, keeping the Dodgers in those three games against the Chicago Cubs, the Kansas City Royals and Brewers.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • An impersonator may have tricked a Las Vegas nightclub last year, but those at the park Tuesday appeared convinced of their brush with Bieber.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The trailblazers clear the smaller brush, step around the largest trees, squeeze between rocks and weave around whatever cannot easily be moved.
    — Kevin Brady, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of brush
Noun
  • The York features espresso feet and comes upholstered in the retailer’s contract-grade Performance Everyday Velvet, which promises to repel liquids and resist abrasions of daily life.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Oatmeal was found extremely wounded as an injured stray with abrasions, wounds and bruising all along his back legs.
    — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of abrasion
Noun
  • The victim suffered a graze wound and a fragment injury both to the left arm.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Depending on the season, animals could eat the crops, graze grass, or forage for acorns.
    — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of graze

Phrases Containing scrape

Browse Nearby Words

scrapbooks
scrape
scrape (by or through)
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Cite this Entry

“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrape. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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