scratching 1 of 2

scratching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scratch
1
as in scraping
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 rubbing
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 scribbling
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 scratching
Verb
But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process. Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024 By scratching beneath the surface to uncover these positive attributes, spies are able to forge connections with even the most seemingly reprehensible individuals. Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024 Elf is a modern Christmas classic, but one of its most head-scratching yet hilarious moments almost ended up on the cutting room floor. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Much information can be gleaned from a natal chart, like astrology’s Big Three—the Sun, Moon and Rising (or Ascendant) signs—and this is just scratching the surface. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 But these forms of AI are only scratching the surface of what’s possible. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024 Despite being heavier than plastic or acrylic, glass is easier to clean without scratching, though plastic containers can also work. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024 And that's just scratching the surface. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
  • Its tires were meant to last 40km and were made with metallic mesh, but did fail at the end of the mission.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • In Salonen’s reading of that music, Mussorgsky’s score is lean, metallic and very fast.
    Jeffrey Arlo Brown, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Boulders offer a jagged look For a rugged look, consider a retaining wall made from large boulders.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Shot-reverse shot sequences are somewhat abrupt, the characters segregated in their individual frames, Spicer using different angles on close-ups to lend to that jagged sense of separation.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • As such, The Studio is shrill and talky, its chaotic scenes sparked by random performers like Charlize Theron, Zac Efron, Olivia Wilde and Sarah Polley, all of whom want something from Remick.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The shrill, metallic banging noises of a jack hammer echoed around the White House on Monday as crews started removing the large, yellow Black Lives Matter mural down the street from the president's home.
    Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Only Jean-Baptiste could make such a screed so funny, so piercing and so devastating.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The two-story space offers a piercing and welding studio, as well as free engravings.
    Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His political opponents viewed him as grating, uncooperative, and at times dogmatic.
    Daniel R. DePetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Find it on Amazon Save Dishes With This Hand Grater This Hand Grater has three grating surfaces, a non-slip base, measurements, and a vegetable peeler.
    Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Compounding the issue is the global flow of goods coming to a screeching halt if the economy worsens.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
  • However, the honeymoon phase comes to a screeching halt on April 7, when Venus joins Saturn in a pragmatic conjunction.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While seeing your university represented in one of the most popular TV shows can be jarring, the school’s response to the suicidal ideation scene also took some of the students aback.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025
  • At the very least, Angry Birds 2 is sometimes jarring, and that’s not nothing in a land of vanilla crowd pleasers.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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