scratching 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in scribbling
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 scratching
Verb
In April, when Rojas got news that his father had been rushed to the hospital, Roberts quickly took the decision on whether to play out of Rojas’ hands, scratching him from the lineup. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Drug companies are experimenting with other approaches called MRGPRX2 blockers that target the pathway Kaplan’s team linked to scratching. ABC News, 27 June 2026 But the president's choice to endorse both contenders had GOP voters scratching their heads. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 24 June 2026 After scratching Trocheck for roster management purposes prior to the trade deadline in March, the Rangers opted to hold on to him in anticipation of stronger offers in the summer. Chris Johnston, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Considerations Before Getting Started Like all non-stick pans, ceramic pans must be handled carefully to avoid scratching the coating. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans. Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 In a moment that left everyone scratching their heads, Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga broke from the defensive wall as Brazil was getting ready to make a free kick during their match. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026 Zoo veterinarians and staff will closely monitor the cubs and observe their behaviors like making small climbs, scratching through substrate and calling to one another when startled. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
  • Silver metallic sneakers are in this summer thanks to Bella Hadid.
    Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • Broadly speaking, resource discussions often focus on three categories of asteroid — water-rich carbonaceous asteroids, metallic asteroids rich in iron-nickel alloys, and stony asteroids that contain iron, nickel, and magnesium.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Located in Florina, in northwestern Greece, the region lies on a high plateau ringed by jagged peaks, with freshwater lakes below.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • An important entry to the New Queer Cinema canon, Kar-wai’s drama is passionate, moody, and deeply evocative, tracing the jagged edges of an on-again, off-again romance in seedy 1990s Buenos Aires.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • But this adjustable Oxo measuring cup will save you time that would otherwise be spent scraping every last bit of peanut butter from the measuring cup.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
  • If cinema is a sinking vessel, as so many are eager to suggest, its rusty hull may yet contain treasures worth scraping off and scrutinizing anew.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The bumper was rubbing the tire and a headlight looked to be dragging.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026
  • Working with the fingertip has a sensuosity which is erotic and raw; there is something very direct about this process of drawing, rubbing, scratching and erasing.
    Zehra Jumabhoy, Artforum, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Each time Yamamoto took the mound, his interpreter, Sonoda, sat on the dugout ledge, scribbling his own notes to help streamline Yamamoto’s process.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026
  • Behind them, Lauren Lloyd, 33, visiting from Nashville, sat earnestly scribbling on her wish tag, which was filled from edge to edge with neat script.
    Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, the glimpses of freedom Clark offers are all the more piercing for their rarity.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The ping of pickleball play produces a uniquely piercing and repetitive sound that has led to contentious lawsuits and controversies across the entire country, including just north in Fox Point, as the sport has rapidly grown in popularity over the last few years.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In Canape Vert, walls now only protect homeowners from criminals but also send a message against the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition with their graffiti scrawling.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
  • The act of scrawling them upon the page is tangible and pleasing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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