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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sketch
David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
My most recent sketch of my preseason Top 25 has five Big 12 schools in the top 12, which is more than any other league.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
The strategy sketches out three main scenarios, with a blueprint and timetable for each.
—Bilal Y. Saab, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Noun
Ben Marshall, the most appealing member of SNL’sdigital-short-making sketch group Please Don’t Destroy, is moving into a performing role.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
My most recent sketch of my preseason Top 25 has five Big 12 schools in the top 12, which is more than any other league.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
The fantastic is used to sketch out familiar story lines, but the metaphysical premise remains as vague as the dramatic stakes in the lives of the characters.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
The strategy sketches out three main scenarios, with a blueprint and timetable for each.
—Bilal Y. Saab, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketch
Noun
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One is a permanent memento of his daughter's stick figure drawings.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Did anyone win the last Mega Millions drawing?—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The same could be said of Piccioli, whose muses include the French actor Isabelle Huppert — portraits of whom were shared as a teaser prior to the show.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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On Instagram through the years, he's shared many glimpses into that time in his life, from school portraits and prom pics to Christmas memories and beyond.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to a survey conducted by Sourcing Journal in partnership with Oritain, 63 percent of industry executives indicate traceability is a strategic advantage, yet just 44 percent are actively tracing goods.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The island’s inhabitants trace their roots not to nearby shores but hundreds of miles away — in a historical saga connecting Tabarca to Italy and North Africa.—
Miquel Ros,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan used another adjective to describe Dowdle’s running style.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Police described Taylor as a Black male who is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The final play of the third quarter had served as a perfect illustration of the struggles the second-year quarterback and the Broncos had to that point Sunday.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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The rest of the issues appear in order of publication, complete with their covers—the front usually an illustration set against a single vibrant color, the back often an elegant monochrome photograph by Stacey Sheehan.—
Jo Livingstone,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The video player page includes a description, links to similar content, and the ability to give a film a thumbs up or thumbs down.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
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The 89-minute film also featured Swift's descriptions of each song playing before lyric videos for the new tracks.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The President and members of Congress continue to get paid during a shutdown, as outlined in the Constitution.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The Shark vacuum arrived in a few pieces, with labels outlining the two different speeds and how to empty the dust bin with the click of a button.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The video portrays Figure 03 as a cutting-edge robot butler, which can wirelessly recharge itself through its feet by standing on a platform.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
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Split the Sky is a powerful story for those who value seeing Black youth portrayed with complexity and strength.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketch. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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