scratch 1 of 2

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
Creating the character from scratch came through a collaboration between Spielberg, storyboard artist Ed Verreaux, and Rambaldi. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025 Everyone knows the discomfort of an itch and the satisfaction of a scratch. Andy Collinson, Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
First-rounder Kash Mayfield, another lefty, was scheduled to pitch before being scratched with the flu. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 The Red Sox scratched Connor Wong from the starting lineup about an hour before first pitch against the Minnesota Twins. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • The beloved product is revered across generations for its versatile uses, which include but aren’t limited to, removing makeup, healing small cuts and scrapes, and even extending the lasting power of perfume.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2025
  • There was a large scrape in the crusted snow among the boulders.
    Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As an bonus, this would save the cash taking unnecessary detours to the federal government to pay bureaucrats, some of whom Elon Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) suspects to be curiously well-off indeed.
    Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to the cash payments, victims may be eligible for one year of three-bureau identity theft protection, credit monitoring, and at least $1 million of fraud/identity theft insurance, the settlement website states.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Thinking fast, the kid rubs his fists in broken glass, instantly upgrading his wimpy, untrained knuckles into deadly weapons.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The seams don't rub, even with a heavy pack on, and the cut is roomy without being too baggy.
    Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The pulsating warlike dances return, and the queen scribbles madly on the ground before collapsing before us.
    Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The photograph was taken in Greene’s dining room, where a friend had scribbled what looked to be a series of hieroglyphics, a perfect backdrop for the psychedelic vibe.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The set is a ship’s deck that tilts and creaks ominously while a screen plays eerily textured footage of a roiling ocean.
    Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The boat moves and creaks, the sails flutter in the wind, and the crew gives a lusty hurrah as the course is set for Singapore.
    John Bleasdale, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • By revoking money from global-health efforts, the U.S. has created the conditions for the health of people around the world to deteriorate, which will give tuberculosis even more opportunities to kill.
    John Green, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Though the investments may seem legitimate, criminals eventually disappear with the consumers’ money.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In related news, the director of California’s recycling agency, Rachel Wagoner, helped write the single-use plastics law — before going to work for the plastics and packaging companies that critics say are attempting to derail the law.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • He's written dozens of profiles of entrepreneurs across a variety of fields and done deep dives into technological trends from superconductors to space travel to pharmaceuticals.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Now, the coins divide perfectly, but still one coin remains.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • At the end of an X video on the death of his colleague, Jones also tries to sell coins and supplements which are on his website.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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