scratch 1 of 2

scratch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to scrape
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface scratched his arm on a branch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to rub
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the branches of the willow tree scratch against the windowpane whenever the wind blows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to scribble
to write or draw hastily or carelessly scratched a quick doodle in the margins

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 scratch
Noun
The musical had its first-ever scratch performance in 2017 at The Lowry, the venue in Manchester that co-commissioned the production and supported its early development. Dave Quinn, People.com, 28 May 2025 Photo : Boreham Motorworks These cars are brand-new vehicles hand-built from scratch, rather than created from existing shells. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Verb
Minutes before Sunday’s game, the Royals scratched second baseman Jonathan India from the lineup. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025 Despite this, there are safety considerations to keep in mind after being scratched by a feline. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • Currently, the beaches of Torrey Pines are crowded with photographers hoping for that perfect picture of peregrine falcon chicks being raised in crude scrape nests placed on precarious perches, high on the sandstone cliffs.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • Injuries suffered by the officers included a groin injury, an ankle strain or stress fracture, a chest contusion, scrapes and bruising.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • The higher interest rates investors demand to loan the government money leave less money for running a country, increase interest rates for consumers and businesses and generally leave a country with fewer options to raise cash.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • The 73-year-old victim was on the phone with the scammer, who was walking her through the step-by-step process to deposit the cash.
    Hailey Clevenger, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • So in the long run, even somewhere like Oxford won't be rubbing their hands with glee if life is harder for Harvard — because Oxford and Harvard do projects together.
    Willem Marx, NPR, 5 June 2025
  • Privately, Musk rubbed a number of senior officials the wrong way during his time in government, and his complaints about a key legislative goal may further agitate his critics in the administration.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The menu is short and changes frequently, sometimes with just four items scribbled on a chalkboard.
    Lily Radziemski, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • As a reward, Colin gets a Christmas card with a time and place to meet up the following night scribbled on it.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • There’s no music, either, to soften or ennoble proceedings, only the indifferent murmur of weather over the startling debris of human conflict, or the slow creak of a galleon on lapping waters as sailors are sent cruelly to their deaths.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • My assumption is that most rational human beings would happily stay in a warm and cozy office and simply listen to the building creak and groan under the force of the violent gusts.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This could take up to 45 days for the money to eventually reach your account.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • In the short run, using money to buy power and power to make money may shield them from Trump’s rages.
    Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The candid scene has left viewers on TikTok in stitches, with hundreds writing about the dog's bold refusal to be helped.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • The Roommate, written by Jen Silverman and directed by Jack O’Brien, played at Broadway’s Booth Theatre from September 12, 2024 through December 15, 2024.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The biggest hurdle will be solving distribution – creating a network effect that results in a coin being widely adopted.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The coin's limited reach is compounded by a lack of real users.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scratch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!