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Recent Examples of scratches
Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Skipping this step—and dragging loose, abrasive particles under a wet cloth—could lead to scratches on your floors.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Using metal tools on delicate cookware can cause permanent scratches.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
The child suffered scratches and bites to the head, face and legs and was treated at a hospital in Silverdale.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Aloe vera, for example, will always remind me of my grandmother, who grew the the medicinal plant to sooth my sunburns and scratches.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026
Just a few scratches on the shoulder.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Looks vibrant in color and has no large blemishes or scratches.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026
In early March, a woman found bruises, scratches and a puncture wound on her 8-year-old autistic son after a day at his Christian school in Hialeah.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Teresa Genaro, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
For a child who scratches through the night or wakes up with irritated patches, that difference in breathability is meaningful.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
But this satirical peek into Silicon Valley's tech bubble barely scratches the surface of the depravity and dysfunction to come.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
From a total solar eclipse lasting almost an hour to the Earth setting behind the moon, the photo dump from NASA just scratches the surface of what's to come.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This roundup of attractions just scratches the surface of things to do in Daytona Beach.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
That only scratches the surface of Dolphins possibilities in free agency.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Keep clean door mats inside and outside entrance areas to trap gritty dirt that scratches floors.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Records of this meeting clearly indicate that each of these was in dire need of snuggling, as well as Cabinet-level scratches underneath its ears.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
Uncle Mo and Forte were late scratches.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Skipping this step—and dragging loose, abrasive particles under a wet cloth—could lead to scratches on your floors.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Using metal tools on delicate cookware can cause permanent scratches.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
The child suffered scratches and bites to the head, face and legs and was treated at a hospital in Silverdale.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Aloe vera, for example, will always remind me of my grandmother, who grew the the medicinal plant to sooth my sunburns and scratches.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026
Just a few scratches on the shoulder.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Looks vibrant in color and has no large blemishes or scratches.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026
In early March, a woman found bruises, scratches and a puncture wound on her 8-year-old autistic son after a day at his Christian school in Hialeah.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
The top 14 fillies on the leaderboard are guaranteed a spot in the starting gate, with three horses added as also-eligibles in case anyone in the main field scratches.
—Teresa Genaro, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
For a child who scratches through the night or wakes up with irritated patches, that difference in breathability is meaningful.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
But this satirical peek into Silicon Valley's tech bubble barely scratches the surface of the depravity and dysfunction to come.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
From a total solar eclipse lasting almost an hour to the Earth setting behind the moon, the photo dump from NASA just scratches the surface of what's to come.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This roundup of attractions just scratches the surface of things to do in Daytona Beach.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
That only scratches the surface of Dolphins possibilities in free agency.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Keep clean door mats inside and outside entrance areas to trap gritty dirt that scratches floors.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Records of this meeting clearly indicate that each of these was in dire need of snuggling, as well as Cabinet-level scratches underneath its ears.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scratches
Noun
-
Rappers have been using scrapes with violence and death as promotional material forever.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The students sustained minor scrapes and bruises in the crash, per the assistant principal.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Give him lots of treats and belly rubs!—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More tournaments to come While Yount has developed a near-superpower of watching 12 mats at once, Smith, for the most part, relaxes in his seat and enjoys the show at Ball Arena while Yount scribbles on his brackets.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate).—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hope scrawls a single word on the paper and folds it up.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scratches. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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