1
as in scraping
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface
scratched his arm on a branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
1
as in metallic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in jagged
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of scratching
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The Jonas Brothers’ performance at the 2025 World Series left some viewers scratching their heads.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025
Don’t scrub with abrasive tools like steel wool or melamine sponges to avoid scratching the surface, which may require repair.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
One meme in particular has left many scratching their heads.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
So even massive interdictions like this are only scratching the surface.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
So fans were left scratching their heads when gossip site Deux Moi broke that Stickler had gone on not one, but two dates with John Mayer in NYC last week.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
If that stretch wasn’t enough, Florida returned to another head-scratching theme — an inability to field 11 players — in the fourth quarter.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Riley’s most head-scratching play call of the season appeared early in the fourth quarter, with rain steadily falling on Notre Dame Stadium.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
And that’s just scratching the surface.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The Jonas Brothers’ performance at the 2025 World Series left some viewers scratching their heads.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025
Don’t scrub with abrasive tools like steel wool or melamine sponges to avoid scratching the surface, which may require repair.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
One meme in particular has left many scratching their heads.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
So even massive interdictions like this are only scratching the surface.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
So fans were left scratching their heads when gossip site Deux Moi broke that Stickler had gone on not one, but two dates with John Mayer in NYC last week.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
If that stretch wasn’t enough, Florida returned to another head-scratching theme — an inability to field 11 players — in the fourth quarter.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Riley’s most head-scratching play call of the season appeared early in the fourth quarter, with rain steadily falling on Notre Dame Stadium.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Verb
-
Stir in a splash of sherry vinegar, cook for another minute, then slowly stir in chicken broth, scraping up any pan drippings that have gathered along the surface of the skillet.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Two childhood friends now must face off from opposite sides – Sam, the daughter of a poor single mother scraping toward a better life in Grand Central, and Ari, a Lumines prodigy.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bathroom Sinks and Mirrors Bathroom mirrors and sinks are quick to show signs of use over the course of a week, and rubbing them down will make all of the difference.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Leave it on dirty spots for just a minute before rubbing residue away with a soft cloth.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
People drift between venues, carrying tote bags, scribbling in notebooks, waiting in line for coffee or drinks.—
Javier Garcia del Moral
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The 9th grader wore a metallic champagne mini-dress finished with a pleated train.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Roberts intended to sport a cutout peplum top and matching wide-leg pants, both with pink and metallic green designs throughout.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The morning light casts jagged shadows across the pink stone, catching the saguaro spines and illuminating them like desert saints.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
According to one tale, the devil escaped from hell and formed the jagged peaks in one day’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 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
-
Arriving in January, the California Post will be Murdoch’s transplant of his right-leaning tabloid the New York Post, replete with shrill headlines and randy gossip.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
11 Sep. 2025
-
One option is to simply double down on the existing approach and become shriller.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While a dog can be bribed with a squeaky toy and a pig would surely look at the camera when enticed with a sausage on a stick, cats are known for their admirably self-serving demeanors.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The CaseSafe Carry On has an aerospace-grade shell that is more than ready to take a beating, and its SilentMove wheels ensure squeaky power walks down airport hallways become a thing of the past.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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