scratch 1 of 2

scratch

2 of 2

verb

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
Some like to make the pudding from scratch, a delicious extra-credit choice. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025 The McAvoy absence meant the re-insertion of defenseman Mason Lorhei, who had been a healthy scratch during the B’s current five-game win streak. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
Then there was the play that made many scratch their heads — the one when the Carolina Panthers’ game-tying field goal was blocked only for an esoteric NFL rule to award the Panthers with the ball, a new set of downs and great field position. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025 Analysts have also seen evidence that Russia is procuring commercial satellite imagery from the private market – an indication that its own capabilities are not up to scratch. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Active anthill, choreographed by collision warning systems,music arranged by sonics of bumps and scrapes.
    Leslie Simon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Watching Rome, Shiv, and Ken attempt to battle, scrape, and betray their way into their father’s heart—and, conversely, seeing Logan withhold, meter out, and blaspheme his version of love back at them—propelled Succession through four glorious seasons.
    John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.
    The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Portugal-Japan collaboration from Moon Road Media & Films received a cash prize of $30,000 from the two sponsors of the award — TCCF organizer Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and France’s Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC).
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The constant friction of material rubbing on material wears the clothing out faster, so when there is more time, as in a regular or deep clean cycle, the garment fibers can wear down faster.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The events occurred in and around the lawless border of Venezuela and Colombia, where spies, smugglers and gun runners rub shoulders and distrust their own shadow.
    Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • One story of the Desert Fathers recounts a sighting of a demon perched on the top of the monastery, busily scribbling down all the faults of the brothers within.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Father denies abuse Dennis looked down and scribbled on a notepad throughout most of Wednesday’s testimony.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Almog hears the creak of the trapdoor opening, hushed whispers, approaching footsteps.
    Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The town’s departments are squeezed into tight quarters where the floor creaks with each step and thin walls make no conversation truly private.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With Alonso on the market, the Red Sox could be more eager to add a power-hitting first baseman than to re-sign Bregman for more money.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Dozens of legislators, senators and construction companies have been accused of receiving kickbacks with money that was supposed to go toward establishing thousands of flood control projects.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But, at a moment when big narrative audio studios are shuttering, loads of people are being laid off and fewer documentary series are being made, this sentence really struck a nerve in the industry of folks who produce, write, edit and sound design longform narrative audio.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Fox News Digital columnist Hugh Hewitt writes that all Americans should be shocked and appalled at the return of antisemitism.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • By day there are parades, rat control events, and grand juries to attend, but night is when the mayor comes alive, at crypto coin launch events, sweaty outer borough raves sponsored by a new credit card, and downtime at his pad in Fort Lee.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The three faced off in two contentious debates in October, in which Mamdani and Cuomo sparred over issues of integrity and experience while Sliwa sought to paint them as two sides of the same ideological coin.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

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