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
Diisea Besides the inconvenience of lining up, one concern with traditional car washes is the potential for dirt and abrasive particles to cause micro-scratches on the paint or even damage sensors. Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026 Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon, skunk or bat. Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
This flannel ticking stripe might just scratch the Austen-era bedroom itch. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 Aug. 2026 Google also says the phones use new glass that is twice as resistant to scratching. ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • They were released after they were treated at medical facilities for scrapes, cuts, dehydration and exhaustion over the weekend, State Police Lt.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Now, everyone who hunts whitetails has heard about scrapes, and hunters who correctly utilize scrapes score more consistently than those who don’t.
    Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • About one in three home sales in the Bay Area were all cash from April through June, Redfin found.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover.
    Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Gently rub the entire surface in small circular motions, then use a dry cloth to wipe down the entire surface.
    Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Jack McGrail and Aiyana Da’Briel, staff leaders for the SoLa Live Accelerator program behind the event, seemed to be everywhere at once, passing out wristbands and scribbling on clipboards.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • However, over that time, the amounts typically scribbled or printed on the face of those checks rose.
    Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • The durable metal is also rust-resistant, and reviews say that despite its metal frame, creaks and squeaks are minimal.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
  • Prairie grasses and bonnet strings whip in the wind as the creak of wagon wheels carries across the rippling grassland.
    Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Johnson was not in the team, the money was on the table, and his valuation was probably more likely to go down from there rather than up.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The trend of hospitals asking for money up front represents a double whammy for patients.
    Julie Appleby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But blaming the technology risks obscuring the fact that humans write the code, select the data on which AI systems are trained, approve their use, and decide where and how they are deployed.
    Shaun Harper, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ken Dychtwald, a psychologist who's written extensively about the golden years, says with more than 80 million Americans now over the age of 65, expect to see a lot more of these luxury senior communities.
    Itay Hod, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Apple AirTags are a favorite among flight attendants and frequent fliers because the coin-sized trackers can be slipped into luggage without sacrificing packing space.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The much harder question is what happens to coins whose owners fail to migrate them in time.
    Joshua Hong, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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