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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in scribbling
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 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
  • Every vintage bathroom can benefit from a metallic accent.
    Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Watching Malkovich, in his 70s, make vulgar pelvic thrusts at his visitors while wearing a weird metallic top really doesn’t inspire dread.
    Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The lodge looked like a miniature in the shadow of the jagged mountains.
    Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Obviously, no one wants to go to a beach that’s covered in jagged space debris (or where such debris might rain down at any moment).
    Edward Woodson, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 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 the evening presses forward, a shrill scream goes thundering across the third floor, and the camera pans to showcase A.B. lying dead in the game room.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
  • There are many reasons to visit New Orleans, from po' boys filled with heaps of fried shrimp spilling out of pillowy soft French bread, the shrill trills of brass trumpets, and the constant bustle of revelers across the city.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 16 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
  • However, the feel-good season came to a screeching halt during a five-game losing streak.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Sadly, his momentum came to a screeching halt when a sudden rib injury benched him for 55 days, forcing the 31-year-old to watch from the sidelines.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This gives people the chance to adapt over time rather than experiencing a jarring impact at once.
    John Spencer Taylor, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Be just completely distracted from the jarring reality.
    Dory Jackson, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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