1
as in metallic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jagged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
By scratching beneath the surface to uncover these positive attributes, spies are able to forge connections with even the most seemingly reprehensible individuals.
—Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Elf is a modern Christmas classic, but one of its most head-scratching yet hilarious moments almost ended up on the cutting room floor.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Much information can be gleaned from a natal chart, like astrology’s Big Three—the Sun, Moon and Rising (or Ascendant) signs—and this is just scratching the surface.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
But these forms of AI are only scratching the surface of what’s possible.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Despite being heavier than plastic or acrylic, glass is easier to clean without scratching, though plastic containers can also work.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
And that's just scratching the surface.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process.
—Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
By scratching beneath the surface to uncover these positive attributes, spies are able to forge connections with even the most seemingly reprehensible individuals.
—Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Elf is a modern Christmas classic, but one of its most head-scratching yet hilarious moments almost ended up on the cutting room floor.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Much information can be gleaned from a natal chart, like astrology’s Big Three—the Sun, Moon and Rising (or Ascendant) signs—and this is just scratching the surface.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
But these forms of AI are only scratching the surface of what’s possible.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Despite being heavier than plastic or acrylic, glass is easier to clean without scratching, though plastic containers can also work.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
And that's just scratching the surface.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
-
Putting the uranium into metallic form is a critical step towards building nuclear weapons.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
26 June 2025
-
Though the latest takes on this archival, vintage silhouette — created for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a low-profile training shoe — swath it in eye-catching neons and metallic finishes, Off White/Core Black is more understated and thus a better match for your everyday style.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Sandwiched between the ocean and the Oregon Coast Range, U.S. Route 101 traces the state’s entire coastline, with wide beaches and jagged sea stacks on one side of the road and thickets of evergreen forest on the other.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
17 June 2025
-
While icebergs and rocky shorelines dominate the Antarctic coastline that cruise ships navigate, the heart of the continent is another world, one of shimmering blue ice tunnels and crevasses, jagged mountain peaks, and vast moonscapes.—
Chloe Berge,
Outside Online,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
-
The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Still, the shrill alarm that echoed on Friday morning as Israel announced airstrikes on neighboring Iran gave her that familiar feeling.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
-
The males climb up trees and produce their shrill songs en masse, using muscles to vibrate a rigid part of their exoskeletons called tymbals.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
And to eloquently share the piercing but ultimately inspiring tale of his family’s experience with the Special Olympics.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2025
-
What spooks Vara is that A.I. writes what are possibly her essay’s most piercing lines.—
Dwight Garner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Miz, often derided as a wrestler for his flamboyant and grating onscreen personality, is few people’s idea of a WrestleMania main-event talent, so his win makes the 27th event stand out as kind of an oddity.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
-
His political opponents viewed him as grating, uncooperative, and at times dogmatic.—
Daniel R. DePetris,
Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The running faucet of titles came to a screeching halt after the Habs won 32 years ago.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
17 June 2025
-
This trend came to a screeching halt during the Covid-19 pandemic, but could be picking back up now.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Raj’s meek voice could faintly be heard against the jarring cacophony of honking horns, street performers, and the chatter of street vendors and passersby.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
24 June 2025
-
The first-round knockout was a jarring return to the octagon.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share