scratching 1 of 2

scratching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scratch
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
as in rubbing
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 scribbling
to write or draw hastily or carelessly scratched a quick doodle in the margins

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Examples 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 scratching
Verb
But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process. Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024 By scratching beneath the surface to uncover these positive attributes, spies are able to forge connections with even the most seemingly reprehensible individuals. Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024 Elf is a modern Christmas classic, but one of its most head-scratching yet hilarious moments almost ended up on the cutting room floor. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Much information can be gleaned from a natal chart, like astrology’s Big Three—the Sun, Moon and Rising (or Ascendant) signs—and this is just scratching the surface. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 But these forms of AI are only scratching the surface of what’s possible. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024 Despite being heavier than plastic or acrylic, glass is easier to clean without scratching, though plastic containers can also work. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024 And that's just scratching the surface. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratching
Adjective
  • Rhinestone and crystal embellishments and metallic foils help deliver the futuristic vibe.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Her metallic lace Louis Vuitton gown featured a flared skirt and exaggerated hips.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Much like the iconic caveman from Hanna-Barbera's The Flintstones, Hollins went barefoot and sported a blue necktie and a short-sleeve, leopard-print loincloth with a jagged hemline.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Comments For over a century, the rugged beauty of the Dolomites — with its jagged peaks rising above lush meadows and hills — has attracted wellness travelers the world over.
    Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Alecia lets out a shrill whistle and the shadowy figures of our campmates stand up around the fire, applauding.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Like, watched it all the way through from the shrill opening filled with obnoxious kids to the leadenly staged slapstick climax?
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Only Jean-Baptiste could make such a screed so funny, so piercing and so devastating.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The two-story space offers a piercing and welding studio, as well as free engravings.
    Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His political opponents viewed him as grating, uncooperative, and at times dogmatic.
    Daniel R. DePetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Find it on Amazon Save Dishes With This Hand Grater This Hand Grater has three grating surfaces, a non-slip base, measurements, and a vegetable peeler.
    Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Sadly, the Ferrari’s promising racing career came to a screeching halt when French gendarmes seized the car at the Paris Orly airport parking lot—something about a dispute between Monsieur Fayen and the French tax authorities.
    Howard Walker, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
  • DeGeneres has largely steered clear of the spotlight since toxic workplace allegations in 2020 brought her eponymous talk show to a screeching halt two years later.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The about-face was a long time coming, but still felt jarring thanks to the rushed nature of the show in its final two seasons.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The bottom foam layer absorbs the impact energy of the sole hitting hard, jarring terrain, while the upper layer soaks up energy from each step to repurpose into the liftoff of the next step.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near scratching

Cite this Entry

“Scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratching. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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