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as in cash
slang
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
she treated her buddies to a drink whenever she had the scratch for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scratch
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Anthony Duclair was a healthy scratch.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Right-hander Jacob deGrom — the eldest of their four Jacob’s, Jakob’s and Jake’s — was scratched from Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park with a stiff neck roughly four hours before first pitch.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratch
Noun
Hartford residents have another option for bakery goods made from scratch.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Anthony Duclair was a healthy scratch.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
The couple took the ticket home but waited a bit to scratch it.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Right-hander Jacob deGrom — the eldest of their four Jacob’s, Jakob’s and Jake’s — was scratched from Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park with a stiff neck roughly four hours before first pitch.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
Noun
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The victim, a 31-year-old man, had visible facial injuries, including scrapes, lacerations and swelling, and injuries indicative of being dragged on pavement, police wrote.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Another image showed just their hands, documenting his scrapes, redness and dirt in his wounds.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Be wary of those who push for your cash without offering sufficient collateral or payback plans.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
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Winners can also choose the lump‑sum cash option.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mona says, rub her down with alcohol, then some Vicks, put the kettle on for the hot water bottle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Nakua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross' stream, and, in the video, Ross instructed Nakua to spike the ball, flex and then rub his hands together.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The customs officer began speaking to me very fast and pointing—the translator scribbling down notes all the while.—
Jeremy O. Harris,
Vanity Fair,
1 Apr. 2026
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Plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Lanier leaned on his down-home Texas folksiness throughout the trial, telling the jury what was on his heart and scribbling with grease pencil on his demonstrative aids.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The creak of a hinge, the thrum of water running through the pipes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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In the opening moments, Loznitsa, working with the Romanian cinematographer Oleg Mutu, plants the camera before the prison gates, which open with a loud creak, allowing a fresh batch of emaciated arrivals to shuffle into a work yard.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Those inflated bills are eating into families’ budgets at a time when gas, grocery and housing costs are high and threatening to climb further, limiting many Americans’ ability to save money and build wealth.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Subscribe today Hello, this is Leonie Kidd writing to you from London.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Saturday’s game against Illinois is projected as a coin flip, largely due to the emergence of All-American freshman guard Keaton Wagler, whose potential hadn’t yet been realized when the Huskies held him to just three points back in November.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
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No coins required — calls are free.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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