sketch 1 of 2

noun

ˈskech How to pronounce sketch (audio)
Definition of sketchnext
1
as in drawing
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene made a quick sketch from which she would create a more detailed painting later

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2
as in portrait
a vivid representation in words of someone or something gave her boss quick sketches of the personalities of the clients he was about to meet

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sketch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of sketched the garden pavilion on a pad of paper so the homeowners would have a rough idea of how it was going to look

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2
as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words briefly sketched the intent of the reorganization plan

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sketch
Noun
Schaffer said Reiner shaved his trademark beard for the sketch, which filmed on November 13, just a month before Rob and Michele were killed inside their home; their son Nick was arrested and charged with the murders. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2026 Oteri famously portrayed the View creator in a series of sketches on Saturday Night Live, where Oteri was a regular from 1995 to 2000. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
Verb
According to Minerva, creating these luxurious sets starts with sketching the signature swirling line work in black. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026 Fewer than forty contemporaneous documents referring to Vermeer have been discovered across various archives, which scholars have used to sketch out the thin shape of a life. — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sketch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketch
  1. drawing
  2. portrait
  3. trace
  4. describe
  5. illustration
  6. description
  7. outline
  8. portray
Noun
  • The ticket matched four winning numbers and/but not the Mega Ball in the drawing Friday, July 3, with a 3x multiplier, the California State Lottery said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • Saturday’s Fantasy 5, Florida Lotto and Powerball drawings begat one jackpot winner.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
Definition of drawing
Noun
  • Vexed by the story, Gonzalez created acontemporary portrait of Katteuha.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • This is the portrait of then-General George Washington at Valley Forge, praying for guidance when the fight for America's independence seemed lost.
    — Lauren Green, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of portrait
Verb
  • Origins of the phrase can be traced back to a May interview with Efraín Juárez, who led Pumas UNAM to the Liga MX Clausura final.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Mizuho Americas analyst Dan Dolev told the Journal that the majority of these cuts probably trace to a post-pandemic hiring correction rather than AI itself.
    — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • Tribes describe the last of three waves of European incursions, nearly 85 years after Serra hung the first Mission bell in San Diego in 1769, as the most brutal.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Rodríguez described scenes of children hospitalized with amputations and survivors grieving multiple family deaths.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of describe
Noun
  • While the earliest complete Bible, the Codex Sinaiticus, lacks illustrations, by the fifth century illustrations began accompanying biblical texts, enhancing their visual and spiritual impact.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice.
    — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • While conducting surveillance, McCurnin spotted a man riding an electric scooter who matched the suspect’s description.
    — Velvet Wu July 1, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Make care work, such as offering emotional support, mentoring, and change management, part of the job description.
    — Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of description
Verb
  • The wide-ranging ordinance outlined how far away data centers can be built from nearby communities, how much noise the centers can emit and what reports property owners must submit to the city.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
  • During a recent industry webcast alongside leaders from Cisco, Intel, and Nutanix, Debo Dutta, Chief AI Officer at Nutanix, outlined a strategic blueprint to help executives navigate this transition.
    — Sam Rastogi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of outline
Verb
  • For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Rob, who died in December at age 78, portrayed George Washington in a segment inspired by the first president’s decision to step away after two terms in office.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of portray

Browse Nearby Words

skeptics
sketch
sketched
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Cite this Entry

“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketch. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sketch

Nglish: Translation of sketch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sketch

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