scratch 1 of 3

Definition of scratchnext

scratch

2 of 3

verb (1)

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

scratch (out)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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 mother made tamales and champurrado, a hot chocolate drink, from scratch on a frigid winter morning. Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026 That’s just the most recent scratch our collective heads moment involving Nicki. Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
The best vacuums for hardwood floors have a powerful cleaning performance without scratching or causing damage. Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026 Gratitude hardly scratches the surface. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Fortunately, the children have a lot of bruises, scrapes and cuts, all stuff that is easily managed.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The modular roof bars rotate 90 degrees to become proper crossbars when needed, while the alloy wheels are subtly recessed to sit within the line of the tyre, helping avoid scrapes from inevitable encounters with kerbs or rocks.
    Fergus Scholes, TheWeek, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Janet’s mother, Marilyn, was deeply insecure about having never finished college herself, and—newly flush with cash—offered to pay for four years of her children’s higher education (which cost, on average, $740 in the late 1970s).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • And just in case, she was laid to rest with some local currency, or spending cash, almost 1,000 Kaiyuan Tongbao coins tied to her waist and right leg, as per Arkeonews reported.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Hearing the house creak in the recordings was important, Auerbach said.
    Audrey Gibbs, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Owners at the condo, where many units sold for upwards of $20 million, have complained of leaks, creaks, and elevators that break frequently, in one case trapping a resident for more than an hour.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Nine of the top ten sets by brick count have been released in the last five years, and two of those are still to arrive, namely the LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, and a yet-to-be announced Lord of the Rings build (my money’s on Minas Tirith).
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Instead, the money inmates pay to buy snacks and other items in the commissary covers the cost, something called the inmate welfare account.
    Jermont Terry, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The unlawful taking of items from a machine or device that is operated or activated by the use of coins.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Conversely, if network health declines due to decreases in mining profitability or overall confidence in a coin, then demand may decrease or risk increase, putting downward pressure on price as a result.
    Ethan Stone, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Today, all flavors cost $6 except for the gluten-free Toffee-tastic cookies, which run 7 bucks.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Naturally, the film opens in silly fashion (and that peek-behind-the-curtain breeziness will be missed at certain points), with Apatow rolling up to Bamford’s home and slipping her 500 bucks to get chatting.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The yen touched its strongest level since October in US trading Tuesday after comments from Japanese officials, including just recently the finance minister, fueled speculation that the government may intervene in the market to prevent the currency from resuming its decline.
    Mia Glass, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Reagan proceeded to give the country back to the people through tax cuts, deregulation and restoration of the integrity of our currency.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Bayt Almocha sells a variety of pastries, including cheesecake, macarons and sabaya, a traditional Yemeni treat made with thin layers of dough brushed in butter.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
  • But chef Christophe’s pecan roll is feather-light because it’s baked with croissant dough and loaded with cinnamon and pecans.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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