SCRATCHING Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

scratching 1 of 2

adjective

as in metallic

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Dissimilar Words

as in jagged

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Dissimilar Words

scratching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scratch

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

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

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

The selloff in exchange stocks has execs in Chicago and New York scratching their heads, according to on and off-the-record conversations with executives. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 John DeBacker The kitten was surprised and tried to put up a fight, meowing, scratching and trying to get loose before DeBacker put it in a crate. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Officials said the bear swiped at the man, scratching his arm, and that the man went on to injure his foot after tripping while trying to escape. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 But all of these methods could damage the register by scratching the finish or denting the louvers. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026 Most on this roster aren’t established major leaguers, but players scratching and clawing for staying power. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026 Jones says this is key to preventing streaks (and not scratching the appliance’s surface). — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026 Google also says the phones use new glass that is twice as resistant to scratching. — ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, for those of us steeped in the tech field, there is quite a bit of head scratching going on. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching

Adjective

To get a better understanding of who this individual was, researchers have spent the past few years conducting a detailed analysis of the remains’ DNA and isotopes, and the chemical properties of the metallic artefacts and the decorative band.

— Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
The embellished number was covered in chains and grommets in a mix of metallic finishes.

— Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of metallic

Adjective

Menart’s script does a fine job of building out these jagged women with a sharp eye for the growing pains of flesh-and-bones relationships born from the seed of virtual connection.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
The lush valleys flanking the Teahupo’o coastline are full of drama, with towering, jagged peaks and vertiginous ridges—many far off the grid and only accessible via boat.

— Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of jagged

Verb

According to the waiter, even a request as simple as removing cheese from a burger might result in the kitchen scraping it off rather than preparing an entirely new burger.

— Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
With the sprightly energy of a schoolboy, Jean-Paul Doron bounds into an empty creek, his red suede shoes scraping pale rocks.

— Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of scraping

Verb

For someone with a flexible foot or a narrow forefoot where the toes tend to crowd each other, separating the big toe from the second toe can reduce rubbing and irritation.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
The forward has also trademarked his nickname ‘Cold Palmer’, a nod to his celebration, crossing and rubbing his arms as though to warm himself up.

— Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

With the bulk of his work at practice done for the day, Achord retreats to the back of the end zone with Koonz, squatting and scribbling something on paper.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Jack McGrail and Aiyana Da’Briel, staff leaders for the SoLa Live Accelerator program behind the event, seemed to be everywhere at once, passing out wristbands and scribbling on clipboards.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of scribbling

Adjective

Amid the rumblings of construction at nearby David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the sound of a shrill whistle and chopping feet at the nearby Murfin Family Practice Fields signaled one thing.

— Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
That trademark indecision of summer takes root in her words and spreads through the music until her vocals diverge in the chorus, peeling like a clementine’s skin as one shrill line scales upward and the other remains monotone.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026

Definition of shrill

Verb

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank early Sunday, setting fire to two mosques and scrawling graffiti on buildings, Palestinian officials said.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 July 2026
The elder statesman Hall scrawling his signature on the Declaration was in doubt in the run-up to the first Independence Day.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026