1
as in drawing
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene
made a quick sketch from which she would create a more detailed painting later
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2
as in portrait
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
gave her boss quick sketches of the personalities of the clients he was about to meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of
sketched the garden pavilion on a pad of paper so the homeowners would have a rough idea of how it was going to look
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2
as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words
briefly sketched the intent of the reorganization plan
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sketch
Julia Moore, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Graphite and watercolor on paper, dated c. 1810, the sketch is 114 × 80 mm (4½ × 31/8 inches).
—Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
Outside, a McDonald’s food truck handed out signature bites, while inside, caricature artists sketched guests and bartenders poured bespoke cocktails.
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Noun
The February 16th event brought dozens of SNL alums and Hollywood A-listers to 30 Rock in New York City to celebrate the late-night sketch comedy series and its creator Lorne Michaels.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Graphite and watercolor on paper, dated c. 1810, the sketch is 114 × 80 mm (4½ × 31/8 inches).
—Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
The tech company filed a new WARN letter with the state’s labor agency that sketches out plans for 736 job cuts in Santa Clara at several locations at or near the company’s headquarters.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
Outside, a McDonald’s food truck handed out signature bites, while inside, caricature artists sketched guests and bartenders poured bespoke cocktails.
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketch
Noun
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Night: 8-8-9 Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.—
Jay Cannon,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
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Winning Cash 3 numbers from Aug. 24 drawing Evening: 3-1-8, Wild: 5 Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.—
Nicole Young,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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No offense to landscapes and wildlife painting and portraits of ancestors–Burgess does all of that, too–but here was something different, provocative.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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The painting hangs where Barack Obama's official White House portrait is supposed to be, according to White House tradition.—
Kyler Alvord,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The passage that contributed to Ezri Konsa’s red card in that 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Saturday can be traced back to the absence of a wide player.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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The case traces back to a March 2023 welfare check conducted at an Everman, Texas, home where police arrived to inquire about Noel and his six siblings after family members expressed concerns over their well-being, authorities said at the time.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At least seven students at a Park Hill School District middle school described uncomfortable interactions with Washington to Platte County Sheriff’s Office detectives, court records show.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
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The post described troops working behind the scenes in police offices, and conducting traffic management and manning perimeters around crime scenes when necessary.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Topline The Department of Homeland Security has posted illustrations depicting the beauty of 1940s Washington, D.C., across multiple social media posts this week, drawing criticism from some who say the Trump administration is glorifying a pre-civil rights era United States.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Newsweek illustration showing redistricting states.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the first case, the pupil might return to the master with a description of their face, or a leaf, or a rock—all of which would be dismissed as wrong.—
Sebastian Purcell
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
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An Amber Alert wasn’t issued in this case, as no descriptions of the suspect or vehicle were provided, per KTLA.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The team's decision-making has been questionable, and one former Yankee, Clint Frazier, outlined one of their flaws.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
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Our public letter outlined a clear path forward: Refinance $500 million in high-cost debt.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Anderson also portrayed Jayne Mansfield in a 1980 TV film opposite a then-unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 Aug. 2025
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In the episode, Kane portrayed Samantha, a poultry heiress competing for Frank's heart on the reality show.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketch. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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