straggly

adjective

strag·gly ˈstra-g(ə-)lē

stragglier; straggliest

: spread out or scattered irregularly

a straggly beard

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Green always looks good, and what better way to clean up the straggly top of a Christmas tree than with this symmetrically pleasing beauty? —

Grace Smith, Town & Country, 5 Dec. 2022 The lines of the new districting maps look cleaner, not as many straggly fingers reaching into nether regions, but the details are dirtier. —

J.d. Crowe | Jdcrowe@al.com, al, 4 Nov. 2021 The definition is crisp enough to show things like textures in a towel and the straggly hairs of my beard but missed the scar above my right eye. —

Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 26 Oct. 2021 There are no straggly flower stalks to cut off until late in the season. —

Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2021 Left to its own devices, Robbins explained, hazelnut grows into a straggly, shrubby tree. —

Kiliii Yüyan, History & Culture, 17 Dec. 2020 Viewers see Raniere at volleyball practice in a tie-dye shirt and short shorts, his straggly ponytail subdued by a sweatband. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2020 Customers in masks, their straggly hair weeks from a good cut, lingered outside. —

Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star, 11 May 2020 Lawson cracks the eggs into a tea strainer to eliminate any straggly bits of egg white and encourage near-perfect spheres, then gently transfers each egg into a ramekin. —

Sarah Fritsche, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Apr. 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'straggly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.