scratching out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just 10% of Kenyan workers have formal jobs, meaning millions, especially young people, are scratching out a living on the edges of the economy, according to the World Bank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 9, 2025

“My future life would flow out of this crucial choice because, once I had this precious instrument in my hands, I started scratching out three chords over which I sang snatches of my own melodies.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2024

If you go to the main Hamburg train station, then you’ll see a lot of those people scratching out their existence.

From Scientific American • Jun. 1, 2023

For decades, federal law has forbidden gun owners from scratching out the serial numbers that manufacturers are legally required to place on firearms.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2022

The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and Ron scratching out one last paragraph on dementors using Hermione’s quill.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling