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.
were scraping
-
past progressiveof scrape.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
He said he would have had Microsoft force OpenAI to retrain its models, had he known they were scraping and training on paywalled information.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Chair Dame Karen Bradley said it felt to the committee police were "scraping" to find a reason to justify the ban.
From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2026
But it also reflected the torrent of capital that was flowing into the investment firms when interest rates were scraping bottom starting with the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2023
“We were scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 24, 2023
Needlelike claws were scraping at the toughened material of her uniform.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
