scratch 1 of 2

Definition of scratchnext

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
When organizations such as the International Criminal Court in The Hague are forced to rebuild their IT systems from scratch, most other organizations should take note and consider how to handle their existing infrastructure and legacy systems. Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Such a film would have to be edited together, and there is no evidence of that (or film artifacts such as scratches) in the Apollo 11 footage. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
Verb
But a police officer had pulled him over in Corpus Christi, Texas, claiming that his license plate was scratched, even though Adelmo said the plate was clearly readable. Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 This all is making managers scratch their collective heads. Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
  • There have been 22 reports of the stools collapsing, with six injuries, including bruising and scrapes.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • At a June 12 protest, a federal agent shoved freelance journalist Anna Sophia Moltke to the ground, causing sprains on her left arm and leg and deep scrapes to her hip and knee that have since scarred.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Mohamed had paid for the appointment in cash.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • OpenAI was burning cash and needed significantly more for computing resources.
    Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Use this solution to blot the top layer of the mattress, trying to moisten and gently rub versus soak the mattress.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
  • The plastic bristles coax out loose hair as your cat rubs against it.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • This group – which included women with graying hair and comfortable OnCloud running shoes, a doctoral student scribbling in a tiny notebook and men wearing office casual chinos – were talking death over tea and vegan strawberry cookies in a gathering commonly called a Death Cafe.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • As a kid, Bazzana scribbled hitting strategies into a little red book.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate).
    Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Your baby was waking at every creak of the floorboard, every passing car, every branch scraping the window.
    Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That report shows the amount of money spent on sportsbook television advertising is down from a peak in 2021 and the industry airs far fewer commercials than the pharmaceutical sector.
    Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • Their profession alchemizes money and labor into art, then back to money.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Who wouldn’t want to read and write about books all day?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • There has been books written about it.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Retail prices for coins and bars typically include premiums above the spot price.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • There is another half of this coin as well, as Bungie also indicates that a pure PvP mode may be coming.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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