scrape
verb (used with object)
to deprive of or free from an outer layer, adhering matter, etc., or to smooth by drawing or rubbing something, especially a sharp or rough instrument, over the surface.
have been scraping
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present perfect progressiveof scrape.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
I mean, people have been scraping the whole web since the first search engine.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
Bulldozers for days have been scraping fire lines on the outskirts of Las Vegas, population 13,000, while crews have been conducting burns to clear adjacent vegetation.
From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2022
With no tourists arriving, hospitality workers, motorbike drivers and whale shark boatmen have been scraping around for alternative sources of income.
From New York Times ● Oct. 24, 2021
From early hypertext experiments to newer forms such as Flarf and Alt Lit, writers have been scraping digital language and cobbling together challenging works of digitally sourced literature for the better part of four decades.
From The New Yorker ● Nov. 13, 2014
We have been scraping and saving that you should be properly equipped.
From The Way of the Strong by Ridgwell Cullum
