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as in cash
slang
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
she treated her buddies to a drink whenever she had the scratch for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scratch
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Anthony Duclair was a healthy scratch.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
This roundup of attractions just scratches the surface of things to do in Daytona Beach.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratch
Noun
Hartford residents have another option for bakery goods made from scratch.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Anthony Duclair was a healthy scratch.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Illuminating Pom Tarnish Eraser gently lifts tarnish from gold, silver, and plated jewelry without scratching or leaving residue.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
This roundup of attractions just scratches the surface of things to do in Daytona Beach.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
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The victim, a 31-year-old man, had visible facial injuries, including scrapes, lacerations and swelling, and injuries indicative of being dragged on pavement, police wrote.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Another image showed just their hands, documenting his scrapes, redness and dirt in his wounds.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Without them, some important objects can remain hidden forever; a waste of human effort and money — and much of that sponsorship cash comes from taxpayer funds and the generous gifts of donors who trust the museum to share its collection with its community.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
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Money divested from Israel would be given out as cash gifts so that newly married couples could buy homes.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mona says, rub her down with alcohol, then some Vicks, put the kettle on for the hot water bottle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Nakua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross' stream, and, in the video, Ross instructed Nakua to spike the ball, flex and then rub his hands together.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The customs officer began speaking to me very fast and pointing—the translator scribbling down notes all the while.—
Jeremy O. Harris,
Vanity Fair,
1 Apr. 2026
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Plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Lanier leaned on his down-home Texas folksiness throughout the trial, telling the jury what was on his heart and scribbling with grease pencil on his demonstrative aids.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The creak of a hinge, the thrum of water running through the pipes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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In the opening moments, Loznitsa, working with the Romanian cinematographer Oleg Mutu, plants the camera before the prison gates, which open with a loud creak, allowing a fresh batch of emaciated arrivals to shuffle into a work yard.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In addition to hiring ambassadors, money will also go toward adding staffers in the security operations center, which collects feeds from more than 2,000 cameras, and security guards who are typically law enforcement.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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Flipcause, based in California, was used by thousands of nonprofits nationwide to process online donations, allowing money to be collected on the platform before being transferred to individual organizations.—
Kelly Werthmann,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As currently written, the bill would also formally declare the state’s ultimate goal to be restoration of the animals, once so ubiquitous that they are enshrined in the state’s flag.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The email chain included a copy of that draft letter, which was written by Kozakiewicz but never sent.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Saturday’s game against Illinois is projected as a coin flip, largely due to the emergence of All-American freshman guard Keaton Wagler, whose potential hadn’t yet been realized when the Huskies held him to just three points back in November.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
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No coins required — calls are free.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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