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
Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
But in OpenAI’s view, the company is merely scratching the surface of its full potential.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
An ultrasonic cleaner gently removes smudges, oil, and makeup—even around the nose pads and hinges—without scratching your lenses.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
The carpet side works like a little curved hammock, too, so your cat can enjoy a rest once they’re done scratching.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
In one of her posts, Jenner even takes a nibble on her nails, which are long enough to just barely miss scratching her nose during the playful choreography.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2025
So Hawkins took the tickets out and began scratching them — and one of them was a big winner.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Security camera footage revealed that Tyrese’s dogs were running loose and scratching at a neighbor’s door across the street minutes before Henry was attacked and killed.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Security footage from a nearby house showed the dogs scratching at someone’s door and running through yards before Henry was allegedly attacked.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
There is an undercurrent of pulsing creative energy that is meticulously refined and barely scratching its surface.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
But in OpenAI’s view, the company is merely scratching the surface of its full potential.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
An ultrasonic cleaner gently removes smudges, oil, and makeup—even around the nose pads and hinges—without scratching your lenses.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
The carpet side works like a little curved hammock, too, so your cat can enjoy a rest once they’re done scratching.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
In one of her posts, Jenner even takes a nibble on her nails, which are long enough to just barely miss scratching her nose during the playful choreography.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2025
So Hawkins took the tickets out and began scratching them — and one of them was a big winner.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Security camera footage revealed that Tyrese’s dogs were running loose and scratching at a neighbor’s door across the street minutes before Henry was attacked and killed.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Security footage from a nearby house showed the dogs scratching at someone’s door and running through yards before Henry was allegedly attacked.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Verb
-
Blood curdling screams and chains scraping against the ground can be heard throughout the prison.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Beat together brown sugar and butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More videos show Dangy rubbing Rune’s belly and feeding him with a bottle.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Like rubbing salt into the wound, an activist investor is seeking to block outgoing Target chief executive officer Brian Cornell’s transition to executive chairman next February.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Morelo recounted hateful reactions to his art, including people smudging out and scribbling over his spots.—
Max Bacall , Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With a white leather upper, the pair uses the Air Jordan 5’s classic color blocking with a reflective metallic silver tongue and a mixture of Sunset orange and a Jordan staple Fire Red shade.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
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Sánchez opted for a silver metallic mini dress with subtle boning and a black overcoat.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Along the way, Juano offered bits of mountaineering history and recounted legendary first ascents of the jagged peaks surrounding us.—
Scott Yorko,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Karst formations, a porous rock, stick out as jagged protrusions in between lush forest and provide plenty of places for small creatures to hide.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
2 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
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One option is to simply double down on the existing approach and become shriller.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Duchamp was the spirit of the avant-garde wheeling through history on a squeaky unicycle.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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My piercing call seemed absorbed by the heavy moisture, trapping even the echo I’d been accustomed to hearing.—
Jim Tschetter,
Outdoor Life,
27 Aug. 2025
-
This is a piercing and perceptive psychological thriller.—
Connie Ogle,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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