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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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
  • Arrive early, bring cash and a cart, dress for the heat, and don’t skip any rows—treasures can turn up anywhere.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Better yet—especially for those with a delicate face of glam—there’s no need to rub the touchless formula in once it’s applied.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 May 2025
  • Each evening at 6 p.m. sharp, the exclusive cadre that are the guests of Capella gather to rub elbows and swap stories.
    Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 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
  • Now Wyatt is playing in front of thousands of fans, singing at the Grand Ole Opry, and writing songs that are winning audiences with their honesty, heart, and vulnerability.
    Sid Evans, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • This culture meant that, rather than wait for Grant’s order to take effect, Jewish Washingtonians had no hesitancy about requesting meetings with the president, writing to their representatives, or trying to educate Grant to prevent any repeat of the order.
    Time, Time, 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

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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