scratches 1 of 2

plural of scratch
as in scrapes
a harsh grating sound the scratch of metal on metal is not a good sound for a car to make

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scratches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of scratch
1
as in bruises
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface scratched his arm on a branch

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2
as in rubs
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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3
as in scribbles
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 scratches
Noun
Saffiano leather ages beautifully and is known for its resistance to scratches, stains, and scuffs. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025 Perhaps Tocchet goes back to the drawing board before the Flyers’ visit to Carolina on Saturday and gives either Nikita Grebenkin or Jett Luchanko — both healthy scratches for the opener — a chance to get in. Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 The polycarbonate shell is designed with impact-absorbing flexibility, while the ridged exterior helps disguise any surface scratches. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025 Pans can also bump against each other, causing chips and scratches. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025 There were visible scratches and cuts all over her legs and body. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 6 Oct. 2025 Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Wood Serving Trivet This 13-inch by 10-inch wood trivet keeps hot or heavy dishes lifted off the table, helping prevent scratches and spills. Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Reese’s fans should go straight for the Peanut Butter Cup flavor, which scratches that candy bar itch without the sugar crash. Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025 How to get tickets For shoppers like Agresta, whether the needle ever scratches the grooves is beside the point. Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025 Prone to thermal shock and scratches easily. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025 Fingerprints, dust, and scratches torpedoed early designs that envisioned users removing the discs from sleeves as casually as record albums; instead, the final version kept the discs encased in a plastic shell that was then inserted into the player. Allison Marsh, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Sep. 2025 An elevator pitch barely scratches the surface. Gina Riley, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Many visitors to Malta make Gozo a day trip, but that barely scratches the surface of what the 26-square-mile island has to offer. AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025 And, anyway, there’s still plenty of good rap out there that scratches the country itch without having to do too much cosplay. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2025 That was presumably the thought process behind this Turkish production, which deftly scratches two very different itches at once. Will Harris, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratches
Noun
  • The youngster picked it up fast, and one of our grandest afternoons was the day Ronnie located a line of five scrapes strung through a large tract of second-growth.
    Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Even minor damages – scrapes or scarring – to the nuclear reactor’s interior require considerable time and resources for repair.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Specifically, Byron’s enthusiasm for Guinness — the beer and the family — rubs him the wrong way.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Ray, grateful for the distraction, rubs my Lab behind his ears and tells me how much Michelle loved dogs.
    Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Inside the Sámi church, centuries-old wood creaks under candlelight—while at Nutti Sámi Siida (a reindeer lodge offering traditional Sámi experiences), visitors sip warm lingonberry juice and listen to joik songs.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Hope scrawls a single word on the paper and folds it up.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratches. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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