1
as in scrawling
to write or draw hastily or carelessly
she scribbled a quick note on the pad by the door before leaving
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in writing
to compose and set down on paper the words of
he scribbled a quick note to his wife and taped it to the front door
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of scribbling
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
As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
The trilogy concluded on April 1 with Fagen scribbling an inscrutable equation on the car window until, again, taking a break to consult an invisible timepiece on his wrist.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
The customs officer began speaking to me very fast and pointing—the translator scribbling down notes all the while.
—Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
By then, a New York Tribune reporter had arrived and was furiously scribbling into his notepad.
—Charlotte Brooks, Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026
Family members, supporters of the defendants and law enforcement officers sat through hours of closing arguments and instructions to jurors, with some scribbling notes and others dabbing tears from their eyes.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
That means no reporters scribbling down who’s canoodling with whom at the bar.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
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
As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
The trilogy concluded on April 1 with Fagen scribbling an inscrutable equation on the car window until, again, taking a break to consult an invisible timepiece on his wrist.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
The customs officer began speaking to me very fast and pointing—the translator scribbling down notes all the while.
—Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
By then, a New York Tribune reporter had arrived and was furiously scribbling into his notepad.
—Charlotte Brooks, Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026
Family members, supporters of the defendants and law enforcement officers sat through hours of closing arguments and instructions to jurors, with some scribbling notes and others dabbing tears from their eyes.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
That means no reporters scribbling down who’s canoodling with whom at the bar.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scribbling
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
Verb
-
Rachel Carson’s contributions to our understanding of nature as both environmental home and habitat, whose balance must be protected and preserved, led her to a lifetime’s study of and writing about the oceans, coastlines, and lands of the United States.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Part of that process has been Korda writing positive notes to herself in her bathroom.—
Bob Buttitta,
Daily News,
7 June 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Scribbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scribbling. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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