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Recent Examples of scratches
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Around the edges of the hole, Zubova and her colleagues noticed scratches, which, in addition to the hole’s unusual size and shape, made the archaeologists wonder if it had been drilled intentionally to relieve the pain of a tooth infection.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
But Weitz’s scratches of synth and interjections of hurdy-gurdy—the instrument at the heart of his solo debut—complicate the surface-level beauty.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
Anaheim shook up its lineup, inserting puck-moving defenseman Olen Zellweger for his playoff debut and his first game action since April 7 while Moore and forward Mason McTavish also returned after healthy scratches.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Even minor scratches released thousands of particles.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
In rare cases, it can be spread through rodent bites or scratches, according to the CDC.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 11 May 2026
It’s also lined to protect fragile items like phone screens or sunglasses from scratches.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
The scratches, mild but visible, are from the ravenous audience who pushes toward her night after night — grasping for a hug, a high-five, a brush of her fingers or the hem of her sleeve.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Last, but certainly not least from the Article Memorial Day sale, the brand’s Torme desk scratches the itch for office furniture that isn’t sterile or corporate-looking.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 May 2026
Find an activity that meets your current needs With so many facets to the creative life, there is bound to be an endeavor that scratches an itch.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
Bites or scratches from an infected rodent or eating food contaminated with hantavirus, are other forms of exposure, Florida Health said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2026
For a child who scratches through the night or wakes up with irritated patches, that difference in breathability is meaningful.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
But this satirical peek into Silicon Valley's tech bubble barely scratches the surface of the depravity and dysfunction to come.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Scientists say that scratches found on a 59,000-year-old tooth may be the earliest signs of a cavity filling in human history.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Around the edges of the hole, Zubova and her colleagues noticed scratches, which, in addition to the hole’s unusual size and shape, made the archaeologists wonder if it had been drilled intentionally to relieve the pain of a tooth infection.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
But Weitz’s scratches of synth and interjections of hurdy-gurdy—the instrument at the heart of his solo debut—complicate the surface-level beauty.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
Anaheim shook up its lineup, inserting puck-moving defenseman Olen Zellweger for his playoff debut and his first game action since April 7 while Moore and forward Mason McTavish also returned after healthy scratches.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Even minor scratches released thousands of particles.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
In rare cases, it can be spread through rodent bites or scratches, according to the CDC.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 11 May 2026
It’s also lined to protect fragile items like phone screens or sunglasses from scratches.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
The scratches, mild but visible, are from the ravenous audience who pushes toward her night after night — grasping for a hug, a high-five, a brush of her fingers or the hem of her sleeve.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
Verb
Mobley departed with deep, visible scratches down the left side of his face, souvenirs from another street fight.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Last, but certainly not least from the Article Memorial Day sale, the brand’s Torme desk scratches the itch for office furniture that isn’t sterile or corporate-looking.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 May 2026
Find an activity that meets your current needs With so many facets to the creative life, there is bound to be an endeavor that scratches an itch.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
Bites or scratches from an infected rodent or eating food contaminated with hantavirus, are other forms of exposure, Florida Health said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2026
For a child who scratches through the night or wakes up with irritated patches, that difference in breathability is meaningful.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
But this satirical peek into Silicon Valley's tech bubble barely scratches the surface of the depravity and dysfunction to come.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratches
Noun
-
Cosmetic damage Dings, scrapes, scratches, and marks are typically not covered by car warranties.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
Due to the incidents, eight people were injured, including bruising, scrapes and a fractured arm, according to the recall notice.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The plastic bristles coax out loose hair as your cat rubs against it.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
Expect wagyu brisket, lemon-zested ribs and rubs with hints of curry or tandoori.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 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
-
Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate).—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Woo walked slowly across the room, using a walker to stabilize his upper body, his steps a symphony of clunks and creaks and whirs.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Apr. 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 22 May. 2026.
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