scratched

verb

past tense of scratch
1
as in scraped
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface scratched his arm on a branch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grated
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 scribbled
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 scratched The release encourages people not to use any card reader that looks loose, crooked, damaged or scratched, and to use tap-to-pay or chip technology whenever possible. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2026 But The Dink has a 74% on RT (compared to 26% for The Hawk) and might scratch that sports-movie itch if it hasn’t already been scratched. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 The planters themselves get chipped, scratched, dented and, in one out of every three cases so far, destroyed. — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 Skubal was scratched from his next start and slated for surgery. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Gypsum can also be applied around the plants at a rate of about 5 pounds per 100 square feet and carefully scratched into the soil. — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026 If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medial care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 July 2026 That means obvious things, like medication, feeding, and potty breaks, but also details like favorite toys, spots to be scratched, and other small rituals your pet looks forward to every day. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 The Rangers are now without pitcher Jacob deGrom, who was supposed to pitch Sunday but was scratched with a glute strain and might be placed on the injury list. — Cal Phillips updated July 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratched
  1. scraped
  2. grated
  3. scribbled
  4. scrawled
Verb
  • And, in turn, the Warriors literally added no one, save for two draft picks, to a depressing roster that scraped together 37 measly wins last year.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
  • All of this makes the album feel more like a mixtape in progress, scraped together from features cut from other people’s projects.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026
Definition of scraped
Verb
  • It’s filled with a goat-cheese sauce and crowned with guava and grated llanero cheese.
    — Sarah Moreno Updated July 18, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • Everything grated is trapped inside the box grater and can be lifted (still on its side) from the counter to a bowl.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Definition of grated
Verb
  • However, over that time, the amounts typically scribbled or printed on the face of those checks rose.
    — Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
  • With so much data to take in, penalty ‘cheat sheets’ have started to appear on goalkeeper’s bottles and scribbled on pieces of paper.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of scribbled
Verb
  • The cat had blood pouring from its mouth and was surrounded by arcane symbols scrawled on the walls, court documents show.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026
  • Pinned to their random assortment of hats were scrawled, handmade signs proclaiming liberty or death.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of scrawled

Browse Nearby Words

scratch
scratched
scratched (out)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scratched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratched. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scratched

Nglish: Translation of scratched for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All