Synonyms of scribbling

scribbling

verb

present participle of scribble

1

as in scrawling

to write or draw hastily or carelessly

she scribbled a quick note on the pad by the door before leaving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scrawling
• writing
• scratching
• doodling
• squiggling
• printing
• penning
• jotting (down)
• penciling
• lettering
• inking
• inscribing

2

as in writing

to compose and set down on paper the words of

he scribbled a quick note to his wife and taped it to the front door

Synonyms & Similar Words

• writing
• penning
• composing
• authoring
• scratching (out)
• typing
• recording
• printing
• crafting
• rewriting
• revising
• formulating
• drafting
• transcribing
• typewriting
• preparing
• lettering
• signing
• recasting
• redrafting
• casting
• drawing up
• framing
• wording
• putting
• autographing
• expressing
• taking down
• registering
• phrasing
• couching
• penciling (in)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scribbling

The gesture sets off a chain reaction, as a parade of strangers begins scribbling their own complaints, anxieties and grudges across the same tiles. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Barratt plays Tom Riddle, a former Hogwarts student who meets Harry in the form of a mysterious voice magically scribbling messages through an enchanted notebook. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026

With the bulk of his work at practice done for the day, Achord retreats to the back of the end zone with Koonz, squatting and scribbling something on paper. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Jack McGrail and Aiyana Da’Briel, staff leaders for the SoLa Live Accelerator program behind the event, seemed to be everywhere at once, passing out wristbands and scribbling on clipboards. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

This group – which included women with graying hair and comfortable OnCloud running shoes, a doctoral student scribbling in a tiny notebook and men wearing office casual chinos – were talking death over tea and vegan strawberry cookies in a gathering commonly called a Death Cafe. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 2026

As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026

The trilogy concluded on April 1 with Fagen scribbling an inscrutable equation on the car window until, again, taking a break to consult an invisible timepiece on his wrist. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026

The customs officer began speaking to me very fast and pointing—the translator scribbling down notes all the while. — Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026