scratch 1 of 3

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

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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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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
At Paris Baguette, the workday starts at 2 a.m. to make everything from scratch, according to Cheung. Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025 Order your pizza and, within five minutes, a robot would craft your pie from scratch, no human hands required. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
Another thing worth noting is that a lot of people complain about the rings getting scratched and showing signs of wear pretty quickly. Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 10 July 2025 The project is scratched, and Mayor Norris Poulson promises that no new ones will be approved. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • One person suffered a broken ankle while seven others were transported to a hospital with cuts and scrapes.
    EW.com, EW.com, 18 July 2025
  • One person suffered a broken ankle, seven people were transported to the hospital with cuts and scrapes, and one person declined transport.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The bar staff said a water would cost $2 — and only cash would be accepted.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • Let the cash accumulate in your account or reinvest it in a short-term Treasury fund.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The dim shake of her flashlight on the wall, the creak of the floor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
  • Like any old building, Larkin Lodge has creaks and drafts, but Emily thinks there’s more going on.
    Gabino Iglesias, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • While the agency expected to receive the grant funding on July 1, state officials noted that the federal government has until Sept. 30, 2026, to release the money to the states.
    Silas Allen July 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2025
  • There are several benefits to installing a bidet, including saving money on toilet paper and wipes, as well as helping to prevent clogs caused by excessive use of these products.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • For centuries, and in all kinds of weather, the British have licked ice creams, strolled piers and dropped coins in arcade games at the seaside.
    Suyin Haynes, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
  • In the fall of 2022, U.S. spies said the chances of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine were 50% − a coin flip.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • Reserves must be 1:1 backed by liquid assets, with the flexibility to issue stablecoins pegged to any official currency, such as HKD, USD, or offshore RMB, leveraging Hong Kong’s currency peg.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The crypto sector has long believed digital currencies represent the future of finance.
    Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • For the love of dough For about five years, Rodriguez, 42, worked at Pancho Villa, preparing tortilla masa there.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Selling nut-free, dairy-free, and vegan cookie doughs, pie crusts, puff pastry, and pizza doughs, Sweet Loren’s reached a niche that has since blossomed into a bigger movement.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

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