Synonyms of scratching

scratching 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in metallic

Related Words

• metallic
• shrill
• squeaky
• clashing
• grating
• blaring
• screeching
• jarring
• raucous
• strident
• raspy
• clattering
• unpleasant
• dissonant
• noisy
• clanging
• unmusical
• jangling
• harsh
• disagreeable
• cacophonous
• dinning
• clangorous
• inharmonious
• discordant
• unpleasing
• tuneless
• unmelodious
• atonal
• unvocal
• jangly
• sonorous
• off-key
• resounding
• clamorous
• uproarious

Dissimilar Words

• musical
• harmonizing
• melodious
• sweet
• resonant
• melodic
• harmonious
• tuneful
• mellow
• appealing
• mellifluous
• sonorous
• pleasant
• euphonious
• rhythmic
• dulcet
• agreeable
• harmonic
• lyrical
• trilling
• lyric
• tonal
• warbling
• still
• orchestral
• mellifluent
• lilting
• silent
• calm
• symphonic
• chordal
• polyphonic
• quavering
• quiet
• homophonic
• hushed
• noiseless
• soundless
• cadenced
• symphonious

2

as in jagged

Related Words

• jagged
• stabbing
• piercing
• lacerating
• jabbing
• clawlike
• knifelike
• pointed
• spiky
• cutting
• ground
• pointy
• daggerlike
• edged
• trenchant
• sharpened
• honed
• edgy
• keen
• sharp
• stropped
• whetted

Dissimilar Words

• dull
• blunt
• smooth
• rounded
• soft
• obtuse
• dulled
• flat
• blunted
• even
• level
• slick

scratching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scratch

1

as in scraping

to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface

scratched his arm on a branch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scraping
• scuffing
• grazing
• bruising
• abrading
• clawing
• barking
• chafing
• cutting
• skinning
• fretting
• lacerating
• galling
• contusing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• polishing
• softening
• smoothing
• waxing

2

as in rubbing

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

• scraping
• rubbing
• grinding
• grating
• rasping
• whining
• groaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sliding
• gliding
• skating

3

as in scribbling

to write or draw hastily or carelessly

scratched a quick doodle in the margins

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scribbling
• scrawling
• writing
• squiggling
• doodling
• printing
• jotting (down)
• penning
• inking
• lettering
• penciling
• inscribing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scratching

Verb

Instagram user lucky_charmedcourt posted a series of six videos earlier this week chronicling a woman with an apparent skin condition scratching her foot. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Abrasive materials or cleaners, like steel wool and scouring pads, could risk damaging or scratching the glass and should also be avoided. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026

All the weirdo arcane seemingly head-scratching things are just this the honest documentary of us as kids in the late ’90s in Tempe, Arizona, and the surrounding area. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026

In the first video shared by the cruiser, the woman can be seen aggressively scratching her foot with her hand before reaching to pick up her food and eat it. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

For all the talk of playing small-ball in the postseason and scratching for every productive out, power-hitting is actually one of the most significant separators for pennant winners. — Neil Paine, New York Times, 16 July 2026

While scratching his head on Citi’s Copilot take, Jim found the analysts’ commentary around Azure reassuring. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Dishwasher Tablet Use a damp dishwasher tablet (not a pod) to scrub away grease from the inside of your glass oven door without scratching. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 July 2026

That pair of stainless steel bowls has been sliding across your kitchen floor for years — collecting dust underneath, scratching hardwood, and sitting in plain sight of every guest who walks in. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026