scratch 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scratchnext
1
as in scrape
a harsh grating sound the scratch of metal on metal is not a good sound for a car to make

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in money
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

scratch

2 of 2

verb

ˈskrach How to pronounce scratch (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to scribble
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 scratch
Noun
She scratch-bakes 850 rolls each week to sell at the market on weekends. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 The setup is almost effortless using ISA auto-alignment technology, a 360-degree adjustable stand for wall-to-ceiling projection, and scratch-resistant lens protection. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
While extreme flooding has happened in the area in the past, Thursday's scene certainly left many residents scratching their heads. — Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 His Gators soon proved it with head-scratching penalties and poor decisions. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scratch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratch
  1. scrape
  2. money
  3. rub
  4. scribble
  5. creak
  6. cash
  7. write
  8. coin
Noun
  • Pack a tube of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in your first aid kit instead of antibiotic ointment and remember to flush all scrapes and cuts with copious amounts of clean water before covering them with the jelly.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This follows previous scrapes of the dataset posted on Reddit (since taken down by the original poster) and the AI model clearinghouse Hugging Face.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of scrape
Noun
  • Celebrity has always been commercial, and famous people have always converted attention into money.
    — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For one, California’s program has that annual cap on the total amount of money that can be awarded as production incentives, a limit that does not exist in other states and countries.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of money
Verb
  • If the bracelet and watch rub against each other, scratches can occur very quickly.
    — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Rubbing Alcohol Head to the drug store for a bottle of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean windows.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • With the bulk of his work at practice done for the day, Achord retreats to the back of the end zone with Koonz, squatting and scribbling something on paper.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Jack McGrail and Aiyana Da’Briel, staff leaders for the SoLa Live Accelerator program behind the event, seemed to be everywhere at once, passing out wristbands and scribbling on clipboards.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of scribble
Noun
  • Dillon put together another great week of work, falling forward, finding creaks of daylight in the gaps created by a less-than-ideal second-team offensive line.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The durable metal is also rust-resistant, and reviews say that despite its metal frame, creaks and squeaks are minimal.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
Definition of creak
Noun
  • West Suburban closed in March, after the hospital’s CEO said problems with the billing systems left the hospital short on cash.
    — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Down payment expectations are meaningfully larger too; these programs generally want the borrower to have real equity in the deal from day one, and the strongest pricing goes to borrowers who bring more cash and better credit.
    — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cash
Verb
  • Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images Hello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Over the course of her prolific career, Zambreno has written 10 books — each as puzzling and surprising as the last.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of write
Noun
  • Towering patent leather Louboutins hid underneath the floor-grazing dress, while a tiny coin purse provided the finishing touch.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The same research cites a case in which Amazon's Alexa told a ten-year-old to touch a live electrical plug with a coin, a machine executing a request flawlessly while having no idea a child had made it.
    — Dana Williams, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of coin

Phrases Containing scratch

Browse Nearby Words

scraps
scratch
scratched
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Cite this Entry

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratch. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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