1
as in metallic
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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
3
as in scribbling
to write or draw hastily or carelessly
scratched a quick doodle in the margins
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scratching
Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
For textured handles or seams where grime tends to hide, an old soft toothbrush can help loosen residue without scratching the surface.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Even many of those who support Johnson on other issues are scratching their head over this one.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The bid left some in the industy scratching their heads, per our snap analysis last year, but others said there was logic to building scale.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Just be aware that some stovetops, such as those with smooth glass, could be susceptible to scratching.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 11 May 2026
More than two months into the Iran war, many analysts are still scratching their heads that wartime leaders in Washington did not plan for an Iranian shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The two interconnected frame pieces then slid into each other, with handy round rubber stickers on the legs to keep the steel from scratching the floor.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
Experts are scratching their heads this morning, frankly.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Verb
The chance to work with the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager had been a significant draw for many of the players who had joined the club over the previous 18 months, and his abrupt departure left some scratching their heads.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
For textured handles or seams where grime tends to hide, an old soft toothbrush can help loosen residue without scratching the surface.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Even many of those who support Johnson on other issues are scratching their head over this one.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The bid left some in the industy scratching their heads, per our snap analysis last year, but others said there was logic to building scale.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Just be aware that some stovetops, such as those with smooth glass, could be susceptible to scratching.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 11 May 2026
More than two months into the Iran war, many analysts are still scratching their heads that wartime leaders in Washington did not plan for an Iranian shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The two interconnected frame pieces then slid into each other, with handy round rubber stickers on the legs to keep the steel from scratching the floor.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
Experts are scratching their heads this morning, frankly.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
-
To accentuate her silver metallic gown, Twain rocked rocked full bangs teamed with long auburn tresses.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
While Styles’ electro-pop almost always satisfies, the most awe-inspiring aspect of this production is the massive stage, flanked by two oversized video screens and centered by a metallic structure that looks like an inverted ski jump.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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But the storms that lash the unpeopled coasts and jagged mountains of our Fiftieth State are no respecters of men, even the best of us.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
-
From the beginning, the Palisades, with its Mediterranean climate and jagged coastline, lured the most adventurous of settlers, each generation reshaping it in its own image.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Plus, the tilt-head design provides easy access to the bowl, perfect for making ingredient additions, scraping, and adjustments.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
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Using a flexible bench scraper or hard plastic spatula, fold dough over and onto itself several times, scraping bottom and sides of bowl, to bring together into a mass (dough will feel very wet and sticky).—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Verb
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This is also linked to a change known as Darier’s sign, which is a common finding in mastocytosis, where rubbing a skin lesion causes redness or swelling.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
15 May 2026
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If one berry develops mold, spores can spread quickly, and moisture, warmth, and friction from the berries rubbing together can accelerate the spread.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Verb
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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
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As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The act of scrawling them upon the page is tangible and pleasing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Nov. 2025
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Chalamet invites his Instagram followers to meet him at Regal Times Square to watch the first 30 minutes of Marty Supreme by scrawling the message on his Instagram Story in orange.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The squeaky wheel seems to get the grease.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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