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
For Jessie Leo, a graphic designer who works on the long-running sketch comedy show, Gillis’ comment wasn’t just offensive. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 His archival sketches of solitaire diamond rings also informed the design. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Echenoz sketches a lively and personal view of the bonds and minor psychoses that can occur when two people work in tandem, and sometimes in conflict. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 During his decade at the house, Vaccarello’s conduct both reflected and amplified some of the patterns first sketched by the house’s great founding designer. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 Oct. 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
  • More than 265,000 other tickets sold in the United States also won prizes ranging from $10 to $50,000 in the drawing, the lottery said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The exhibition culminates with the Future Indicative (1977), collaging Krasner’s figure drawings.
    — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of drawing
Noun
  • The orchestra paints a colorful musical portrait for the choreography.
    — Libby Smith, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Around the same time, Rivera painted a full-body portrait of Pan dancing, and Pan hung the painting in the parlor of his house.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of portrait
Verb
  • The drama, now streaming, traces her evolution from grieving mother to vengeful killer.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • This conceit allows Harbach to trace the development of not just his characters but his own work, through the reception of Owen’s book and through the way Westish students discuss his other authorial proxy, Edith Wharton.
    — B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • With a laser on board, a cargo-carrying vehicle can defend itself against drones during resupply runs, a role Rheinmetall has described as protection for autonomous logistics missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Warsh described the global shift toward tighter monetary policy as a common fight on prices.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of describe
Noun
  • IllustratorMagic then generates the story, illustrations, and page layout together while keeping characters consistent from page to page.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In other words, the idea of turning roads into giant wireless chargers has been kicking around for years, and some projects are now producing encouraging results rather than just concept illustrations.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • There’s a lot of character packed into that description — a complicated combination of ego, insecurity, cynicism, and self-justification.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But that description barely scratches the surface, Chris Joyner reports.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of description
Verb
  • Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of outline
Verb
  • Rogers has increasingly portrayed El-Sayed as an extremist and a threat to Jewish voters as the Republican tries to win over a traditionally Democratic constituency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Landon starred as the Ingalls family patriarch, Charles, Karen Grassle played his wife, Caroline, and Gilbert portrayed their daughter, Laura.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sketch

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