1
as in scraping
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface
scratched his arm on a branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in scribbling
to write or draw hastily or carelessly
scratched a quick doodle in the margins
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in metallic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in jagged
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of scratching
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Both are resistant to cracking and scratching, but Apple says the second-generation material is three times more resistant to scratching.
—PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Emmy’s first public dive is just scratching the surface of this research, and there’s significant work still ahead.
—Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.
—Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
The Dallas Cowboys pulled off one of the most head-scratching trades in recent memory, as perennial edge rusher Micah Parsons was sent to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The mesh upper helps your feet breathe while the extra-thick heel protects your feet from chafing or scratching the back of your heel.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Mock suggests using gentle cleaning tools to avoid scratching the flooring.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
From the time when people first started scratching into the cave walls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The fourth quarter of Sunday’s early-window games featured one head-scratching special teams play and a game in which two teams traded consecutive return scores in a span of 12 seconds.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Both are resistant to cracking and scratching, but Apple says the second-generation material is three times more resistant to scratching.
—PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Emmy’s first public dive is just scratching the surface of this research, and there’s significant work still ahead.
—Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.
—Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
The Dallas Cowboys pulled off one of the most head-scratching trades in recent memory, as perennial edge rusher Micah Parsons was sent to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The mesh upper helps your feet breathe while the extra-thick heel protects your feet from chafing or scratching the back of your heel.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Mock suggests using gentle cleaning tools to avoid scratching the flooring.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
From the time when people first started scratching into the cave walls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Verb
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To add details, etch swooping lines around the holes by scraping away the pumpkin's outer skin to create contrast.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
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Two games into 2025, the league’s lowest-scoring team from last year is still scraping the bottom.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But to have everyone there, rubbing elbows and being just as outlandish and quirky as ever, three decades ago just felt off.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Other signs that your cat is content and relaxed with you include kneading, and head rubbing and bunting.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No scribbling down notes in the margins of the character sheet or pausing game play to flip through the spell list again.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Better Business Bureau is telling parents to avoid scribbling out too many personal details about their children, such as their name, age, school, teacher and grade level, on those chalkboards.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rpzl The Morgan Stacked Cuff solves these issues, all while looking incredibly chic in its nine metallic, patterned, and show-stopping shades.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Pour a small amount of metallic crafts paint inside a vase; tip and twirl the vase to cover as much of the interior as desired.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There is nothing quite like the view from Monterey Bay—jagged coastline and evergreens framing a strip of blue.—
Beth Lew-Williams,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Visitors will find themselves with jaws agape at the striking jagged mountain peaks, looming glaciers, and slick icebergs, all set to the backdrop of moody, misty weather—this is a photographer’s dream adventure.—
Stefanie Waldek,
AFAR Media,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Arriving in January, the California Post will be Murdoch’s transplant of his right-leaning tabloid the New York Post, replete with shrill headlines and randy gossip.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
11 Sep. 2025
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One option is to simply double down on the existing approach and become shriller.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Adding squeaky toys and being careful to be gentle when bathing can all help an anxious dog at bathtime, and owners should use a muzzle if their dog becomes aggressive during bathtime.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
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Full rich body with squeaky acidity and pronounced tropicals on the finish.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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My piercing call seemed absorbed by the heavy moisture, trapping even the echo I’d been accustomed to hearing.—
Jim Tschetter,
Outdoor Life,
27 Aug. 2025
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This is a piercing and perceptive psychological thriller.—
Connie Ogle,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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