scratch 1 of 2

Definition of scratchnext
1
as in to scrape
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface scratched his arm on a branch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to rub
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the branches of the willow tree scratch against the windowpane whenever the wind blows

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to scribble
to write or draw hastily or carelessly scratched a quick doodle in the margins

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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 scratch
Noun
An infected animal can spread rabies to humans and other animals through bites, scratches or oral secretions. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 Tolbert, the team’s most accomplished receiver, was a healthy scratch the first two games. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
This practice might be daunting as your mind runs through all the ways someone could scratch, chip, or break the precious items, but that’s half the importance. — Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026 Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno won the NL batting title despite being scratched about an hour before first pitch with a sore hamstring. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Memory is not so much a flow, sometimes, as a series of bumps and scrapes.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The company said the agent bypasses the personalization and other features built into the shopping experience and said Muse appears to capture and store customer credentials and scrape account data.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The organization, created in 1961 by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, receives no government funding, and raises money through private donations and sales of retail merchandise.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • With his ring powered up, John flies over and drops off a bag of money as restitution to the waitress Maggie (Hannah Christine Shetler) who lost her family in the Manhunter attack.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An urge strong enough to pull me away from the kitchen, grab my computer, and steal a table outside to scribble out my thoughts.
    — Samantha Rees, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The gesture sets off a chain reaction, as a parade of strangers begins scribbling their own complaints, anxieties and grudges across the same tiles.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The distressed creak of nylon straps as the second coffin was lowered into the grave brought me back to the now.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Which, aurally, lies somewhere between a door creak and an ass smack.
    — Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The hike of 25 basis points to the cash rate was in line with expectations by economists polled by Reuters.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Relying purely on cash reserves is no longer viable when ownership utilizes revolving institutional liquidity.
    — Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Furnari recalled that some of the song’s early music and lyrics came together quickly, but writing words that could do justice to their experience was another matter.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026
  • If the student is found responsible, they could be made to compensate for damages in cash or service, write an essay or go to workshops, or be barred from participating in campus events or organizations.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Players who find a match mark the square on their tabla with a bean or coin; the game continues until players finish predetermined objectives, such as completing a column, a row, the four corners, or the entire board.
    — Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Precious metals, coins, and stones require different checks, and both their characteristics and applicable market prices inform the amount offered.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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