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

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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

Well, my colleague Jack Flemming, who’s written about luxury real estate in California for years, landed on the front page Thursday with news that might leave you scratching your head. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026 Seeing people scratching and crawling to win life-changing money. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026 The exclusion of Florida State in 2023 and Notre Dame last season stand out as the best examples, and the first rankings this season left people scratching their heads again. — Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026 Spends much of its time hopping and scratching on the ground or under bird feeders. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Nov. 2026 The Senators’ most head-scratching trade of the summer, acquiring him for a 2027 sixth-round pick, has proved fruitless. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026 State inspections also cited other pests (roaches and flies), as well as staff hygiene issues, including one employee seen scratching their nose then handling clean utensils. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026 DuPont's materials are used both outside the plane cabin , such as in the engine to protect against heat and add durability, and within the cabin to make surfaces resistant to scratching and easy to clean. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026 There were head-scratching coaching mistakes, including attempting a 58-yard field goal against the wind. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching

Adjective

Once again, the star added some boldly reflective tones to the look, wearing a pair of Le Silla Bella pewter metallic pumps.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026
Non-metallic shells insulate metallic components, conductive feet provide grounding, and automatic cutoffs monitor temperature.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of metallic

Adjective

John Homme sings at the jagged, forlorn beginning of the ninth Queens of the Stone Age album.

— Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026
As with his previous films, Iñárritu tells his story using scenes out of order so that the pieces fall together in a jagged form that heightens the tension.

— Ray Bennett, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of jagged

Verb

The simplest answer to how to wash fruits and veggies is to start with clean hands, then rinse produce under cool running water while rubbing it for about 20 seconds.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Small amounts of surface rust or rust that can be removed simply by rubbing a paper towel over the surface, is okay.

— Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

Jess sidled up to her best friend, who had a notebook and pen out and was scribbling down mathematical pearls of wisdom.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
His father, Bongo, recorded with artists on Houston label Swishahouse, while Toliver began scribbling rhymes in school notebooks and making rudimentary recordings through a PlayStation microphone.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of scribbling

Adjective

That loon’s shrill call, this rock’s marbled face, and the walleye wriggling several feet below are what’s at home here; the paddler, just a visitor.

— Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026
With a soprano voice that’s sharp but never shrill, O’Donovan can levitate a heartfelt melody over just about any kind of accompaniment.

— Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrill

Verb

Now the former child phenom is accused of picking up a permanent marker and scrawling antisemitic graffiti on Southern California homes, according to authorities.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
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