1
as in metallic
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Dissimilar Words
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
3
as in scribbling
to write or draw hastily or carelessly
scratched a quick doodle in the margins
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scratching
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
One of those 17 was a bullpen game — with Ober’s injury, the Twins currently have four starters on the roster — and in one game, the Twins had to press Woods Richardson into duty after scratching Rojas an hour before the game.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Equity versus debt Corporate bonds have been the hyperscalers’ main source of financing for the AI buildout so far, so the switch to equity has some analysts scratching their heads.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 June 2026
For really stubborn spots, a baking soda paste can help lift the minerals without scratching.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Use a dry cloth and gentle pressure to remove buildup without scratching delicate surfaces.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026
Spark will monitor and organize Gmail, complete complex tasks, and manage workflows across apps – and that’s just scratching the surface.
—Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Verb
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
One of those 17 was a bullpen game — with Ober’s injury, the Twins currently have four starters on the roster — and in one game, the Twins had to press Woods Richardson into duty after scratching Rojas an hour before the game.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Equity versus debt Corporate bonds have been the hyperscalers’ main source of financing for the AI buildout so far, so the switch to equity has some analysts scratching their heads.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 June 2026
For really stubborn spots, a baking soda paste can help lift the minerals without scratching.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Use a dry cloth and gentle pressure to remove buildup without scratching delicate surfaces.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026
Spark will monitor and organize Gmail, complete complex tasks, and manage workflows across apps – and that’s just scratching the surface.
—Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
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All three used transparency selectively, pairing it with a colored or metallic base rather than relying on a fully clear shoe.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
13 June 2026
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In the primary bathroom, Italian art students hand-painted the mirrors with similarly metallic hues, which complement the brass basins hammered by a Lebanese artist.—
Nicolas Milon,
Architectural Digest,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Irregular, edges catch oil differently, crisping into jagged, craggly bits while softer interior pockets hold onto dressing, broth, or sauce—the kind of varied texture that makes each bite its own.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
As pests crawl through it, its jagged edges scrape their exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.—
Judy Bart Kancigor,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
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This is an album in which harsh, scraping sounds make sweet vocal melodies sound even sweeter, where that kindness of spirit may flicker but never quite fades away.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Use light pressure when rubbing the skin, and avoid washing multiple peaches at once to prevent them from bumping into each other.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
My wife lowers her gaze as if tired, rubbing the side of her glass with her fingers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 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
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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
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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
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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
-
The act of scrawling them upon the page is tangible and pleasing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Nov. 2025
-
Chalamet invites his Instagram followers to meet him at Regal Times Square to watch the first 30 minutes of Marty Supreme by scrawling the message on his Instagram Story in orange.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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