Synonyms of scratches

scratches 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scrapes
• creaks
• rasps
• clashes
• grinds
• screeches
• jars
• scuffs
• clangs
• jangles
• clanks
• blasts
• croaks
• gargles
• bleats
• brays
• clangors

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scrapes
• bruises
• scuffs
• grazes
• abrades
• barks
• claws
• cuts
• skins
• chafes
• frets
• lacerates
• galls
• contuses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• smooths
• waxes
• smoothes
• polishes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scrapes
• rubs
• grinds
• grates
• groans
• rasps
• whines

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slides
• glides
• skates

3

as in scribbles

to write or draw hastily or carelessly

scratched a quick doodle in the margins

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scribbles
• scrawls
• writes
• squiggles
• prints
• letters
• jots (down)
• doodles
• pens
• pencils
• inks
• inscribes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scratches

Verb

Gratitude hardly scratches the surface. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025

Those were only some of the storylines around the NFL and that just scratches the surface. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025

The truth is, what many agency professionals understand about how to execute a successful partner marketing campaign only scratches the surface of its real potential—and some of it might be based on outright misconceptions. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Though none of that even scratches the surface of all the Jets’ confounding mental errors on Sunday. —Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

However, Western recognition only scratches the surface of what’s coming together on the continent. —Rahel Aklilu, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024

This year’s edition marks the event’s 10th anniversary, yet Fat Bear Week merely scratches the surface of ways to enjoy the region’s four-legged giants. —Stephanie Vermillion, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024

The blood is procured when a stray kitten scratches her, becoming her familiar—the witch and the childless cat lady are one and the same. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024

Email, of course, just scratches the surface. —Cheryl Ragland, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024