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
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2026
Mukhamadullin has dressed for 17 of the Sharks’ last 18 games, and Klingberg has not played since March 24, missing the last six games through a mix of healthy scratches and an injury.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Rabies, a virus transmitted through bites and scratches, poses risks to both humans and pets.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Each sample was placed against a black background and backlit to reveal surface scratches.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Designed with convenience and your busy lifestyle in mind, MY MAGIC CARPET rugs protect floors from scratches, spills and stains.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The scratches are like fingerprints in that no two firearms make identical markings.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
The original nine-horse field for the Derby was reduced to six due to the scratches of Albus, Redland Rebels and Gregarious.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
This luggage expands to allow for greater packing space, and its custom design hides potential scratches and scuffs.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Noel Brennan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This roundup of attractions just scratches the surface of things to do in Daytona Beach.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
That only scratches the surface of Dolphins possibilities in free agency.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Keep clean door mats inside and outside entrance areas to trap gritty dirt that scratches floors.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Records of this meeting clearly indicate that each of these was in dire need of snuggling, as well as Cabinet-level scratches underneath its ears.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Article’s Torme desk scratches the itch for office furniture that isn’t sterile or corporate-looking.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Upon inspection one evening, the father discovered scratches all over the bottom of the pair.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
And this only scratches the surface—true economic impact stands to be even higher when considering what future scientific breakthroughs could achieve.
—Bob Sternfels, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
EaTi One comes in a reusable pouch made of sturdy plastic, protecting your gear from scratches and cuts.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2026
Mukhamadullin has dressed for 17 of the Sharks’ last 18 games, and Klingberg has not played since March 24, missing the last six games through a mix of healthy scratches and an injury.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Rabies, a virus transmitted through bites and scratches, poses risks to both humans and pets.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Each sample was placed against a black background and backlit to reveal surface scratches.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Designed with convenience and your busy lifestyle in mind, MY MAGIC CARPET rugs protect floors from scratches, spills and stains.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The scratches are like fingerprints in that no two firearms make identical markings.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
The original nine-horse field for the Derby was reduced to six due to the scratches of Albus, Redland Rebels and Gregarious.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
This luggage expands to allow for greater packing space, and its custom design hides potential scratches and scuffs.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
From a total solar eclipse lasting almost an hour to the Earth setting behind the moon, the photo dump from NASA just scratches the surface of what's to come.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This roundup of attractions just scratches the surface of things to do in Daytona Beach.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
That only scratches the surface of Dolphins possibilities in free agency.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Keep clean door mats inside and outside entrance areas to trap gritty dirt that scratches floors.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Records of this meeting clearly indicate that each of these was in dire need of snuggling, as well as Cabinet-level scratches underneath its ears.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Article’s Torme desk scratches the itch for office furniture that isn’t sterile or corporate-looking.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Upon inspection one evening, the father discovered scratches all over the bottom of the pair.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
And this only scratches the surface—true economic impact stands to be even higher when considering what future scientific breakthroughs could achieve.
—Bob Sternfels, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratches
Noun
-
Pet owners can get infected when flea poop enters the body through cuts or scrapes in the skin, or if rubbed into the eyes.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Give him lots of treats and belly rubs!—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Fennell begins on a black screen and the sound of creaks and moans.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hope scrawls a single word on the paper and folds it up.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratches. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
