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
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Recent Examples of scratching
Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
That pollen can fill the air, covers cars and cement, and can start noses running, eyes watering and throats scratching.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Cleaning stainless steel requires a soft cloth or sponge to reduce any chances of scratching or altering the finish.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The American people this morning, George, are scratching their heads in wonderment and in fear of what the president has proposed.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
While the bill analysis cited data that reflects some support among cat owners for declawing cats to keep them from scratching, advocates for the bill said declawing cats is inhumane and painful for cats when done solely for the convenience of the pet’s owner.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026
But here are our choices of the most meme-orable, eye-rolling, jaw-dropping and head-scratching moments of the year.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
The stainless-steel exterior offers a sleek look that is resistant to scratching, discoloration and rust.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have made some head-scratching moves in 2025 dating back to the preseason, which have both strengthened the interior of the defensive line but also added confusion about the future of the unit.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
The best vacuums for hardwood floors have a powerful cleaning performance without scratching or causing damage.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
That pollen can fill the air, covers cars and cement, and can start noses running, eyes watering and throats scratching.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Cleaning stainless steel requires a soft cloth or sponge to reduce any chances of scratching or altering the finish.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The American people this morning, George, are scratching their heads in wonderment and in fear of what the president has proposed.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
While the bill analysis cited data that reflects some support among cat owners for declawing cats to keep them from scratching, advocates for the bill said declawing cats is inhumane and painful for cats when done solely for the convenience of the pet’s owner.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026
But here are our choices of the most meme-orable, eye-rolling, jaw-dropping and head-scratching moments of the year.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
The stainless-steel exterior offers a sleek look that is resistant to scratching, discoloration and rust.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have made some head-scratching moves in 2025 dating back to the preseason, which have both strengthened the interior of the defensive line but also added confusion about the future of the unit.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
-
The actress donned a slinky metallic shift dress in her latest Instagram post in partnership with the skincare brand Shiseido.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Red flags included bitterness or any metallic notes the beans may have picked up during processing.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rose now realizes the smeared, dark, jagged edges are an abstract human.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
All the shadows and jagged angles evoke German Expressionism, distorting Ronnie’s confrontation into something both surreal and terrifyingly recognizable.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Stokes, who seldom completes a five-Test series these days, had dragged his creaking, aching body through almost five full matches of hard, hot, energy-sapping cricket, like scraping butter over too much bread, but somehow soldiering on.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Reinforcing Data Risk and Privacy Over the past three years, Jain has been using her skills as part of Meta’s anti-scraping initiative.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Moore picks up her little one and starts kissing her all over, rubbing her up and down her chest.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
According to the court document, students said they were videotaped alone in a classroom with Illanes, with allegations of removing clothing and rubbing their backs.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One story of the Desert Fathers recounts a sighting of a demon perched on the top of the monastery, busily scribbling down all the faults of the brothers within.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Simon managed to keep scribbling on his yellow legal pad but his handwriting, illegible on a good day, quickly deteriorated into nothing more than chicken scratch.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What's more, this door alarm features three sensitivity levels and emits a loud, shrill sound that will instantly scare an intruder away.—
Stephanie Gray,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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When Nosferatu showed his corpselike face, the Wonder Morton’s Vox Humana (human voice) and concert-flute pipes buzzed together in a shrill cluster.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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
Adjective
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Jinn notes that this supereffective cleansing oil rinses completely clean, leaving skin soft rather than squeaky.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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