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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

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

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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

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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
To prepare it, scrape off the skin with the back of a spoon (or leave it on), then chop, slice, or purée the flesh using a Microplane grater or garlic press. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026 Emily Smith’s life has gone from scraping together grocery money to bringing home six figures in a single month. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 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
  • Abu Safiya's personal attorney said that during a recent visit, the doctor had fresh bruises and was struggling to remain conscious, according to the human rights organization Amnesty International.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Mims hurt his foot in the team’s preseason finale against Minnesota, but head coach Sean Payton after the game called the injury a bruise.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 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
  • The device comes with a refill dock, two regular brush heads, and a charging cable.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Show up to public meetings to stay informed, and start making an impact at home by clearing dry brush around your property and helping neighbors do the same.
    — Matt Thompson, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of brush
Noun
  • Sugar and salt are examples of physical exfoliators, which manually slough off dead skin cells and product buildup via gentle abrasion.
    — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The baby had an abrasion and bruising on his head, according to the sheriff’s office.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of abrasion
Noun
  • Minutes after that shooting, a 37-year-old woman was shot in the leg and a 19-year-old man suffered graze wounds to both legs near the parade route on Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, police said.
    — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • And in its forests and on its grasslands, tule elk and mule deer graze, while bobcats and coyotes hunt for rabbits and mountain beavers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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