Synonyms of scribbling

scribbling

verb

present participle of scribble

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

• scrawling
• writing
• scratching
• doodling
• squiggling
• printing
• penning
• jotting (down)
• penciling
• lettering
• inking
• inscribing

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

• writing
• penning
• composing
• authoring
• scratching (out)
• typing
• recording
• printing
• crafting
• rewriting
• revising
• formulating
• drafting
• transcribing
• typewriting
• preparing
• lettering
• signing
• recasting
• redrafting
• casting
• drawing up
• framing
• wording
• putting
• autographing
• expressing
• taking down
• registering
• phrasing
• couching
• penciling (in)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scribbling

Each time Yamamoto took the mound, his interpreter, Sonoda, sat on the dugout ledge, scribbling his own notes to help streamline Yamamoto’s process. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026

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

That means no reporters scribbling down who’s canoodling with whom at the bar. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026