Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

scratch

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of scratch

1 a harsh grating sound
  • the scratch of metal on metal is not a good sound for a car to make
Synonyms of scratch

creak, grind, jar, rasp, scrape
Words Related to scratch

clang, clangor, clank, clash, jangle

scuff

croak, gargle

blast, bleat, bray, screech
2 slang something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
  • she treated her buddies to a drink whenever she had the scratch for it
Synonyms of scratch

bread [slang], bucks, cabbage [slang], cash, change, chips, coin, currency, dough, gold, green, jack [slang], kale [slang], legal tender, lolly [British], long green [slang], loot, lucre, money, moola (or moolah) [slang], needful, pelf, shekels (also sheqels), tender, wampum
Words Related to scratch

coinage, specie

dead presidents [slang], folding money, paper money, scrip

banknote, cashier's check, check, draft, money order, note, promissory note

bill, dollar, greenback

bankroll, capital, finances, funds, roll [slang], wad, wallet

chump change, dibs [slang], dime, mite, peanuts, pittance, shoestring

big bucks, bomb [British], boodle, bundle, earth, fortune, king's ransom, megabucks, mint, packet [chiefly British], pile, pot

abundance, means, opulence, riches, treasure, wealth

resources, wherewithal

mad money, petty cash, pin money, pocket money, spending money

scratch

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of scratch

1 to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface
  • scratched his arm on a branch
Synonyms of scratch

abrade, graze, scrape, scuff
Words Related to scratch

bark, skin

chafe, fret, gall

claw, cut, lacerate

bruise, contuse
Near Antonyms of scratch

polish, smooth, soften, wax
2 to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface
  • the branches of the willow tree scratch against the windowpane whenever the wind blows
Synonyms of scratch

grate, grind, rasp, scrape
Words Related to scratch

rub

groan, whine
Near Antonyms of scratch

glide, skate, slide
3 to write or draw hastily or carelessly
  • scratched a quick doodle in the margins
Synonyms of scratch

scrawl, scribble, squiggle
Words Related to scratch

doodle

jot (down)

ink, inscribe, letter, pen, pencil, print, write

Learn More about scratch

  1. See words that rhyme with scratch Dictionary: Definition of scratch Spanish Central: Translation of scratch Nglish: Translation of scratch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scratch for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scratch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games