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
The sunglasses are polarized with a 100% UVA/UVB rating, and the lenses are scratch-resistant. Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The most recent experiments there had at last demonstrated the viability of a weapon that could wipe out entire enemy populations without leaving a scratch on their infrastructure. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Verb
Early in the offseason, Johnson scratched his head at the riddle. Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Her dog barked, and Vera went to say hello, scratching the mutt between the ears. Eric Boodman, STAT, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • That includes recent surgical sites, fresh tattoos and piercings, and even minor cuts or scrapes.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • Necrotizing fasciitis can be contracted when bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish waters enters the body through open cuts, scrapes, burns or other puncture wounds, or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Takaichi said last Thursday that Japan would cut the tax on food to 1% from 8% for two years from April 2027, and offer cash payments to offset the impact of that 1% on select groups.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Red Sox also received catcher Jake Rogers and cash considerations in the deal.
    David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Use tweezers or a butter knife to rub over the seed head to scrape off any seeds that won’t fall off on their own.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Coat the exterior of the pork with 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice, rubbing it into the meat.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 3 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
  • But trying to compete for top talent against clubs across Europe and South America – among other regions – requires having money to spend.
    John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The project has transformed the Burchardi Church, which was left largely in ruins before money was raised for a new roof and other fixes to make the piece a reality.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This is a more bullish take than the German bank's previous forecast on June 23, written when inflation fears were rife.
    Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Freezing dormant coins, supporters argue, beats letting a future quantum thief drain them and dump them on the market.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • After all, that’s a whole lot of coin even when your valuation is in the trillions.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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