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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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
After a roughly three-hour-long scratch session for the character Gabby, the older sister, and a months-long wait, Gomez finally landed her first voiceover role. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026 If acceptance depends on scratch depth, detecting a visible scratch in a conventional two-dimensional image does not establish that its depth meets the specification. — Rajesh Iyengar, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
Swastikas painted on the signs of a Jewish candidate and scratched into the side of yeshiva school buses. — Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026 The programs’ first Southeastern Conference matchup (and first regular-season meeting since 2011) saw both attempt to claw and scratch their way to a win in a crucial part of the season. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • The officer suffered contusions, cuts and scrapes to his legs, though tests confirmed no broken bones.
    — Louis Casiano , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Does, and bucks that are between does, continue checking scrapes.
    — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Chambers himself is now accused of riot, conspiracy to riot, and money laundering offenses, defense attorney Aitor Martínez Jiménez told the Washington Examiner.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Nov. 2026
  • So much of it is unfortunately about money now, more than ever before.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • For small spots and stains, gently rub them with an art gum eraser.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The simplest answer to how to wash fruits and veggies is to start with clean hands, then rinse produce under cool running water while rubbing it for about 20 seconds.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Activists and residents in various parts of the city — and elsewhere in the Balkan country — have self-organized to paint over anti-student graffiti that were scribbled on buildings during the tense campaign ahead of the ballot.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Jess sidled up to her best friend, who had a notebook and pen out and was scribbling down mathematical pearls of wisdom.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Jess Alder says dollhouse props fly off shelves, and the old building’s creaks can make closing time a little unsettling.
    — Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 30 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Freed of a cash crunch, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s 2027 preliminary budget shows a significant boost in spending as the super agency powers up to deliver more bus and rail service for riders.
    — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Advisors typically recommend keeping at least three to six months of living expenses in cash for emergency savings.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The title track is written from the perspective of the DJ Fagen envisioned, the sage who schooled his younger self on what mattered, though this character is more of a Shepherd type.
    — Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Getting more aggressive at writing new policies always tends to put pressure on an auto insurer's bottom line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The researchers then tested the electrolyte in experimental coin cells using lead and lead fluoride electrodes.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But sometimes, in reality, they are decided by a midnight coin toss in a parking lot in front of Catfish Roundup.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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