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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sketch
Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Didorosi has sketches of small trucks in various configurations, hauling lumber or potted plants.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
For the Quick Draw Contest, contestants must sketch their artwork in 50 minutes.
—Claire Partain, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Noun
In other cases, Sanders drew detailed sketches of the crimes and suspects to include with his case files.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Didorosi has sketches of small trucks in various configurations, hauling lumber or potted plants.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Orthodox in Ukraine’s east clashed with the Catholics in its west along precisely the fault line Huntington sketched.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
For the Quick Draw Contest, contestants must sketch their artwork in 50 minutes.
—Claire Partain, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketch
Noun
-
Roebuck finished with 29 points and was punishing the Wolverines with his strength driving and drawing fouls.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The drawings show mature trees along a central walkway, omitting buildings on both sides, blocking out the sun.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The frames fit 5x7-inch photos without a mat and can be displayed either in portrait or landscape view.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In the entryway, a portrait of the client’s grandmother hangs above a centuries-old butcher-block table, setting a tone that privileges memory alongside materiality.—
Leonora Epstein,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seagulls traced lazy circles overhead.—
Lisa A. Beach,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The show traces the evolution of Armani Privé since its Paris debut in 2005, highlighting pure lines, precious fabrics and jewel-like embroidery.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since 2015, the median age of an Economist subscriber has risen from 51 to 61, according to figures shared at a recent meeting and described to Semafor by two people.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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When 250-million-year-old fossil remains were first described in 1972, they were thought to belong to a single species of marine amphibian, Erythrobatrachus noonkanbahensis.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In this illustration, the Claude AI app is seen in the app store on a phone on February 16, 2026 in New York City.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
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The image harkens back hunters using Black children as alligator bait, a practice portrayed in old illustrations and recorded in oral histories.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Each job description chose to call their organization a guild rather than a union to emphasize the skilled craftsmanship needed to make the grade.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
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At issue was Sheikh Dibo’s description of the prayer that locals tend to say when visiting a grave; to the ISIS member, such prayers were sacrilege.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Takaichi won a landslide in a snap election this month, and in her first speech since the vote outlined her new, assertive agenda.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
During the forum, the chair of each transition committee gave a quick, roughly five-minute presentation outlining their recommendations at a high-level.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Paintings of the Chinese imperial court portray chows luxuriating in the role of companion dogs.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Based on reconstructed transcripts of Gein’s November 1957 confessions, the two-part film brings the interrogation to life using generative AI alongside a performance from an actor portraying the detective who led the case.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketch. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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