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
Within days, Jesni was released from the hospital with a few scratches and not a single broken bone. Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 June 2026 Use a non-abrasive cleaning tool like a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches. Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 3 June 2026 Like the experimental teeth, the ones from Neanderthal archaeological sites had the same overlapping small fractures, shallow indentations, and shallow scratches. ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026 An upper-body injury knocked him out for a significant period but there were also healthy scratches mixed in. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 June 2026 Thankfully, Pete only had a few scratches from the ordeal and was given the all clear to return to doggy daycare. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 The disease, which can be transmitted through bites and scratches from infected animals, is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms occur. Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Remove Scuffs and Stains with an Eraser Sponge Windowsills are prone to scuff marks, dings, and small scratches. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026 Luckily, because of ceramic’s resistance to scratches, keeping your timepiece bright and polished is easier than doing the same for your teeth. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Verb
Officers noted in the affidavit that the girlfriend’s injuries didn’t quite match her claims, observing a small mark on her neck, scratches on her arm and a small cut on her hand. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 8 June 2026 The rich color of the collection is also designed to protect against the nicks and scratches a bag picks up in airports — and help set apart the luggage from the masses. Marissa G. Muller, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 But that just scratches the surface. R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026 Because glass scratches easily, pressure matters here. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratches
Noun
  • Standard practices with cattle can break the skin, including shearing and dehorning, or even moving them in and out of corrals can cause scrapes and cuts.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 June 2026
  • Harrison Ford As most pop culture enthusiasts know, Harrison Ford is best known for playing an expert pilot in the Star Wars franchise, with his character Han Solo navigating the Millennium Falcon through a number of scrapes.
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 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
  • But when Ava makes a bathroom trip, Deb hastily scribbles something in her notepad.
    Judy Berman, Time, 29 May 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Scratches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratches. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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