scrape 1 of 3

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

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2
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 3

verb (1)

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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scrape (up or together)

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to earn
to get with great difficulty we're barely scraping together a living on the farm

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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
Youthful pond hockey injuries and years of surfing scrapes have been absorbed as painful but far from disabling. Fred Schruers, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026 The scrapes’ glow is likely from urine. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
The curb showed evidence of scraping. Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026 There are 617 McDonald's restaurants in Ohio, according to the web scraping tool ScrapeHero. Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrape
Noun
  • Then, just two weeks after the Enterprise's close encounter with V'Ger, Disney unleashed an interstellar adventure of its own.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Immigration status would become a routine component of safety encounters, increasing the likelihood that enforcement decisions hinge on paperwork interpretation instead of driving performance or vehicle condition.
    Bhupinder Kaur, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In one-of-a-kind high-jewelry chokers and necklaces, the design is rendered in black diamond-like carbon, or DLC—a high-tech material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch-resistance that is often used in watchmaking—and combined with diamonds and yellow gold for an avant-garde look.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The grittiness of this powder can cause the stone to lose its shine or have permanent scratches.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • He was later diagnosed with a bone bruise after undergoing an MRI.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Strong made progress faster than anyone expected but not without some bumps and bruises.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Her offering features both large and small brush sizes, which look similar but feature differing bristles to provide the right pressure for their corresponding treatment areas.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
  • As disarming as Rockwell is with his wry balance of doofus, savant and wiseass, and as capable as Verbinski is at keeping the brushes with death coming at a sustained pace, the movie feels most original in its flashbacks.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Lab 102 reports that OrganIQ seek can be applied in nebulization systems for bleaches with strong contrast and abrasion effects.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
  • In a modernist era of abrasion and velocity—the now and the next, chasing each other at warp speed—Reilly offered a work of radical non-provocation.
    Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Her 12-year-old old son suffered a graze wound to his head and was taken to a hospital in Maywood where he was listed in fair condition, Chicago police said.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Police said the man was shot in the chest and suffered a graze wound on his head.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrape. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

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