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 17e uses Ceramic Shield 2, Apple’s custom glass that offers scratch resistance and drop protection on the front, alongside standard frosted glass on the back. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026 Officers responding to a report of a disheveled person found Asia with scratches and injuries on their face and arms. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
That cute little feral furball was mean as hell and bit, scratched, and ultimately abandoned the family. — Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026 Anyone who is bit or scratched should immediately seek medical attention and report the attack to police. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Does, and bucks that are between does, continue checking scrapes.
    — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Cuts and scrapes on the nonstick surface can cause it to chip or flake off, exposing the metal during cooking.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The proposition would allow local governments to create economic development districts with the ability to issue bonds, make loans, and award grants of public money.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Spring Grove Cemetery, a historic cemetery in Hartford’s North End that fell into disrepair, is about to get a major boost with $225,000 in state grant money expected after the city agreed to accept the funds this week.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The discovery was made Wednesday in the Hickory Ridge area of east Charlotte, and responding officers report a man drenched in sweat tried to rub them down with garlic and bite them, according to an affidavit.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
  • True, but there are other issues that rubbed me the wrong way (sorry).
    — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The summit register revealed roughly 40 names scribbled over the past decade, or what amounts to three or four people annually.
    — Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Jonas even gave his number to Hadid’s mother, scribbled on a piece of paper.
    — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 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
  • Khalilzad on Friday wrote on X that there had been reports of Pakistan arming Afghans to fight the Taliban inside Afghanistan and of the Pakistani military recruiting Afghans to fight anti-Pakistan insurgents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Inspiring others In 1981, Runner’s World magazine published an article that Godby wrote about his 1978 run.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For instance, the outcome of a coin toss seems random at first.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As a character Chigurh is particularly illustrative of this worldview, often reducing the fate of other characters to a coin toss.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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