Yankee Doodle came to town // Riding on a pony // He stuck a feather in his cap // and called it macaroni.
Source: tatoeba (1369338)
Doodle
/ˈduːdl̩/
Synonyms for "doodle" (170 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (34)
Strong matches (51)
Noun(2 words)
decorative sketchdraw
Verb(1 words)
draw a picture
Adjective(1 words)
freehand designs
Related words (85)
lose timelunaticmessmess aroundmilksopmooncalfnincompoopninnyoverreachpaintpaint a picturepass the timepastelpen-and-inkpencilpencil drawingperfect foolpicturepicturizepiddle
Show 45 more words
pipepokeportraypotterpuddleputterrough copyrough draftrough outlineschmuckscrabblescratchscrawlscribblescumbleshadesilhouettesilver-print drawingsinopiasketchsoftheadsopsoundstencilstudystupid asstinkertinttomfooltonguetoottootletracetracingtrifletriple-tonguetrumpettweedlevignettewaste timewhile away the timewhistlewindwind the hornzany
Noun(14 words)
Adjective(3 words)
quick drawingquick sketchspontaneous sketch
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: scribble, ass, bagpipe, beat, beguile the time.
- Sentence evidence is available for doodle, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "doodle".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "doodle"
Keep "doodle" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "doodle" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "doodle", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "doodle" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
4 entriesMore specific
9 entriesCollocations
10 entriesdoodle artdoodle bookdoodle designdoodle padlecture doodlemarginal doodlenote doodlesimple doodlespontaneous doodlespontaneous doodling
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
16 total sentences available.
Google celebrated its 19th birthday on September 27 with a special doodle.
Source: tatoeba (6331969)
Google commemorated the African Turkish sculptor Kuzgun Acar with a Doodle.
Source: tatoeba (9815732)
The origin of Yankee Doodle, perhaps the most famous American national air, is unknown. It is supposed to have been an English tune. At any rate, it was introduced into America by the British troops in 1775.
Source: tatoeba (10792932)
Showing 4 of 16 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "doodle"?
Closest matches include scribble, ass, bagpipe, beat, beguile the time.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "doodle"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.