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
Earlier this year, $1 million winning scratch-off tickets were sold at stores in Pittsburgh and in Carnegie. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 Vernon works directly into wax with scalpels and other implements, allowing scratches, fingerprints, and cuts to survive their translation into metal. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
Officials said another woman fought back during an attack and scratched Davis, leaving DNA beneath her fingernails. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026 While most have not dismissed Michelin quite like Lee above, there is quite a bit of head scratching over who was included, who was omitted, and how the ratings were awarded. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • The company said the agent bypasses the personalization and other features built into the shopping experience and said Muse appears to capture and store customer credentials and scrape account data.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The visits mainly addressed dehydration, minor cuts and scrapes and pre-existing medical conditions.
    — Ruby Grisin, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In each case, the contracts were built off of what would stand as less than mid-level money, with both having higher potential upside.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, two coaches making almost identical money were standing on opposite sidelines Saturday night trying to revive two programs with almost identical problems.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As far as technique, pressing is gentler on dry skin than rubbing or dragging.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Among other things, Noohu accused showrunner Ed Brubaker of rubbing his back and of making comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • An urge strong enough to pull me away from the kitchen, grab my computer, and steal a table outside to scribble out my thoughts.
    — Samantha Rees, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The gesture sets off a chain reaction, as a parade of strangers begins scribbling their own complaints, anxieties and grudges across the same tiles.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Which, aurally, lies somewhere between a door creak and an ass smack.
    — Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • On September 18, the FCC approved an enormous infusion of foreign cash to finance the deal.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The award determined by audience ballot comes with a $10,000 cash prize.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The album features 15 tracks, of which 13 are original tunes co-written by Munsick, heavily bent toward the American West and its native culture.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Feldstein was their foot soldier, working to get news stories written and noticed.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The actresses alternate between the roles of Electra/Elisabeth and Clytemnestra/Alma each night, depending on a coin toss.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • There are also 118 physical meters still active across the downtown and beach areas that accept bills and coins.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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