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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Districts across Illinois and beyond continue to select OrganicLife because of our talented culinary teams, personalized approach and experienced chefs who work directly in schools to prepare fresh, made-from-scratch meals students enjoy. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Just five pairs of the navy blue suede sneaker were produced and were made available via a scratch-off lottery. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
The bear scratched his arm, and the victim tripped and injured his foot while trying to escape, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Officials said the bear swiped at the man, scratching his arm, and that the man went on to injure his foot after tripping while trying to escape. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Cut marks and scrapes made by flint knives at consistent locations on the bones indicate local humans butchered many of them for meals.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2026
  • After what seemed like an eternity, the does caught wind of the mock scrape that Kontras had placed 16 yards from his stand.
    Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Celebrity has always been commercial, and famous people have always converted attention into money.
    Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For one, California’s program has that annual cap on the total amount of money that can be awarded as production incentives, a limit that does not exist in other states and countries.
    Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For someone with a flexible foot or a narrow forefoot where the toes tend to crowd each other, separating the big toe from the second toe can reduce rubbing and irritation.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The tacos feature za’atar rubbed swordfish kissed by a wood-burning grill, dabbed with tangy pools of labne and a salsa arabe, similar to harissa.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 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
  • The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 from Artemis Rising Foundation.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Offer is nontransferable, subject to availability, and has no cash value.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For nearly four decades, Jeanne Phillips wrote the column, which was founded in 1956 by her mother, Pauline Phillips.
    Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Warchus says the show’s small ensemble size, which has to account for understudies across both the Welsh and LGSM characters, further limited how many roles could be written.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The study said the object, which left a greenish discoloration on her palate, was unlikely to be a coin, as the proportions of copper to gold did not correspond to those found in historical alloys.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Assuming 20 million coins in circulation, this would imply that one bitcoin would be priced at approximately $50 million.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster