sketch 1 of 2

noun

ˈskech How to pronounce sketch (audio)
Definition of sketchnext
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

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sketch

2 of 2

verb

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 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
Noun
Swift’s cat, named after Hargitay’s Olivia Benson character, also made a cameo in the sketch. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
An overflow crowd packed into a South Side union training hall Thursday night and loudly rejected the plan sketched out by Amtrak officials for a massive new maintenance center in their neighborhood. — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Early deals are already popping up across everything from paper-like displays built for reading and sketching to massive Android tablets that can basically moonlight as laptops. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sketch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketch
  1. drawing
  2. portrait
  3. trace
  4. describe
  5. illustration
  6. description
  7. outline
  8. portray
Noun
  • Though some concept drawings were released by the company shortly after the project began in 2008, more recent renditions have been little more than hints showing the craft as an outline in the haze, with only the nose and cockpit showing clearly.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
  • None of them won Saturday’s Powerball jackpot, nudging that up to $467 million for Monday’s drawing, or Friday’s Mega Millions top prize, which will be $345 million on Tuesday.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of drawing
Noun
  • Other organizations abandoned associations with Hastert, and his portrait was removed from a hallway outside the House chamber.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • While a portrait collection of the resort’s presidential guests caters to quite a fitting name, there’s a new top tier spirit and fine wine collection–along with swanky designs, space for live music, and eventually, a game of pool.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of portrait
Verb
  • Bain traces most of that gap back to execution rather than deal structure or entry price.
    — Miki Kapoor, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The release also included records tracing the origins of the classified investigation into the documents and investigators’ preparations for a possible search and trial.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Its inclusion in the corridors of power is characteristic of the 52-year-old executive, whom colleagues describe as committed, charismatic and down-to-earth.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of describe
Noun
  • Seeking new crypto money, Christie’s and Sotheby’s cut all other legitimizing actors out of the loop with NFTs, elevating what might previously have been categorized as illustration, graphic art, or a social media meme to the status of fine art.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In colorful illustrations that are just as energetic and immersive as the text, Aaron Marin pulls the whole adventure together.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • Bread & Butter’s title track is the only time when things decamp to the treacly, mostly because of how Cartunez’s syrupy beat drowns out Droog’s hazy memories of 9/11 and descriptions of a side chick who looks like Ronnie from The Player’s Club.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Inspired by Qur’anic descriptions of paradise, Sheikh Zayed’s vision was to bring a garden into marble and light.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of description
Verb
  • Plans should clearly outline the decision-making processes to facilitate the continuation of essential functions, even if digital systems are unavailable.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But the maneuvers outlined by Picollo would seem a good start.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of outline
Verb
  • The conductors who oversee the recording of the movie scores are portrayed as hyper-demanding corporate perfectionists.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Armour invoked the murder of Emmett Till while connecting the controversy to America’s history of White women portraying Black people as threats.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of portray

Browse Nearby Words

skeptics
sketch
sketched
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Cite this Entry

“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketch. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sketch

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