1
as in metallic
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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
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Recent Examples of scratching
Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Equity versus debt Corporate bonds have been the hyperscalers’ main source of financing for the AI buildout so far, so the switch to equity has some analysts scratching their heads.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 June 2026
For really stubborn spots, a baking soda paste can help lift the minerals without scratching.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Use a dry cloth and gentle pressure to remove buildup without scratching delicate surfaces.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026
Spark will monitor and organize Gmail, complete complex tasks, and manage workflows across apps – and that’s just scratching the surface.
—Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
After weeks of scratching and clawing just to get a handful of runs across the plate, the Red Sox burst out of the gate Friday with one of their most productive offensive innings in ages.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026
And that’s only scratching the surface.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Even many of those who support Johnson on other issues are scratching their head over this one.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Verb
One of those 17 was a bullpen game — with Ober’s injury, the Twins currently have four starters on the roster — and in one game, the Twins had to press Woods Richardson into duty after scratching Rojas an hour before the game.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Equity versus debt Corporate bonds have been the hyperscalers’ main source of financing for the AI buildout so far, so the switch to equity has some analysts scratching their heads.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 June 2026
For really stubborn spots, a baking soda paste can help lift the minerals without scratching.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Use a dry cloth and gentle pressure to remove buildup without scratching delicate surfaces.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026
Spark will monitor and organize Gmail, complete complex tasks, and manage workflows across apps – and that’s just scratching the surface.
—Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
After weeks of scratching and clawing just to get a handful of runs across the plate, the Red Sox burst out of the gate Friday with one of their most productive offensive innings in ages.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026
And that’s only scratching the surface.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Even many of those who support Johnson on other issues are scratching their head over this one.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
-
Itty bitty daisies add a touch of whimsy to this metallic pink base.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
5 June 2026
-
Although Prada Mode staff are all dressed in metallic silver outfits that match the physical decor, the overall fashion connection is more conceptual than literal.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
As the sky darkened, the jagged ridgeline of the mountains behind us grew sharp and pronounced.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 June 2026
-
At Palisades State Park, striking red-pink Sioux quartzite cliffs jut up to 50 feet above Split Rock Creek, their jagged faces almost glowing against a backdrop of bucolic farmland.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
This is an album in which harsh, scraping sounds make sweet vocal melodies sound even sweeter, where that kindness of spirit may flicker but never quite fades away.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
1 June 2026
-
Traditional screen-scraping automation is inherently fragile, breaking with every UI change or system patch, increasing risk and cost while limiting scale.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Carefully remove any visible tentacles with tweezers or a gloved hand and avoid rubbing the skin.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
-
Sources told the outlet that the pair had a smiley chat, while White's date was also seen rubbing his leg.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Behind them, Lauren Lloyd, 33, visiting from Nashville, sat earnestly scribbling on her wish tag, which was filled from edge to edge with neat script.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
This group – which included women with graying hair and comfortable OnCloud running shoes, a doctoral student scribbling in a tiny notebook and men wearing office casual chinos – were talking death over tea and vegan strawberry cookies in a gathering commonly called a Death Cafe.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Still, the glimpses of freedom Clark offers are all the more piercing for their rarity.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The ping of pickleball play produces a uniquely piercing and repetitive sound that has led to contentious lawsuits and controversies across the entire country, including just north in Fox Point, as the sport has rapidly grown in popularity over the last few years.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The act of scrawling them upon the page is tangible and pleasing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Nov. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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