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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words
briefly sketched the intent of the reorganization plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sketch
Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
Stellan proved himself to play against his image there, and in a sketch lampooning the practices of immigrant parents, in which Alexander played a stoic Finn, whose only memory of affection from his father was accidentally touching knees in a sauna.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Brent Lang, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Take time to sketch out a roadmap rather than racing toward the finish line.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Noun
Immigrant Dad Talk Show Marcello Hernández’s Immigrant Dad Talk Show sketch is always fun, but was made especially funny here when Skarsgård’s Finnish special guest comes out to chat with Hernández’s host.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
Stellan proved himself to play against his image there, and in a sketch lampooning the practices of immigrant parents, in which Alexander played a stoic Finn, whose only memory of affection from his father was accidentally touching knees in a sauna.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Shlesinger, who is a popular stand-up and sketch comic, wasn’t worried about delivering laughs.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Take time to sketch out a roadmap rather than racing toward the finish line.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketch
Noun
-
When are the Hoosier Lottery drawings held?—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings).—
Jennifer Sangalang,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My photographs—portraits, landscapes, still lives, and spaces both vast and claustrophobic—reveal cultural double standards and impermanence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Focusing on Mapplethorpe’s aesthetic research, the exhibition features over 200 works, tracing the evolution of Mapplethorpe’s visual language through themes like portraits, self-portraits, flowers and nudes.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here, visitors can trace their family lineage all across North America and Europe.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The blurred surge, of course, traces back to K-beauty, where this finish has been popular for years.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While Indonesia is often described as one of Australia's most important neighbors, the relationship has seen periodic strains.—
NINIEK KARMINI,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
One other suspect – described as an accomplice – was also detained, the Committee said.—
CNN's Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The more the industry accelerates, the more impactful fashion illustration feels.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Crespi junior forward Cayman Martin epitomizes that illustration after playing junior varsity basketball his sophomore season and blossoming into one of the team’s most reliable players.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The name and description of the suspect have not been released, and Pittsburgh police are investigating.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
City surveillance footage showed Coleman driving an ATV matching the vehicle’s description, according to the probable cause statement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Conversations focus on outlining options, trade‑offs, and longer‑term considerations in a manner that feels clear and manageable.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Decluttering expert Katy Wells outlines the top spaces that need attention and how to organize them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But while China has portrayed the renminbi as a convenient and safe currency for global trade, experts said that tight controls on moving money in and out of the country will deter investors and financial institutions from relying too heavily on renminbi reserves.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Despite widespread anxiety about the procedure, the experience proves far less traumatic than commonly portrayed, offering hope for reluctant patients.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketch. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
