1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversial
given to arguing
a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scrappy
Thornton and Billings provide length on the perimeter while Martin and Hayes are scrappy defenders.
—
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2025
Over its nearly two-dozen films and TV shows, the battle between the formidable Empire and the scrappy resistance has become not just a metaphor for the current crisis of the day, but a moral guidebook of how and when — and when not — to fight.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Being scrappy and making something out of nothing isn’t typically rewarded in the VC world.
—Essence Editors, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Fairchild is a scrappy competitor who is hard to move.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2025
Over its nearly two-dozen films and TV shows, the battle between the formidable Empire and the scrappy resistance has become not just a metaphor for the current crisis of the day, but a moral guidebook of how and when — and when not — to fight.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Being scrappy and making something out of nothing isn’t typically rewarded in the VC world.
—Essence Editors, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Fairchild is a scrappy competitor who is hard to move.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy
Adjective
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But in recent weeks, Musk dramatically lowered his taxpayer savings estimates from DOGE's government cuts, disagreed publicly with Trump's aggressive tariff policies and butted heads with multiple Trump officials, some publicly, revealing divisions within the White House over Musk's influence.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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After Leandro Trossard’s red card, the approach became even more aggressive — City’s entire team was essentially camped inside or on the edge of Arsenal’s box.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After the Oilers’ Evander Kane tied the game on a controversial goal, Hiller challenged the call, claiming goalie interference.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Long a controversial figure, Brand has fallen out of public grace amid reports of alleged rape and assaults.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the latest missile, but a spokesman for the militant group has said previous launches targeted military facilities in Israel.—
Tamar Michaelis,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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India may also take the stronger step of striking militant groups in Pakistan to satisfy the public’s demand for action.—
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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That series has been contentious, dramatic and super close — Game 5 was decided by three points, Game 4 by one and Game 3 by two.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Crawford says the meetings were contentious, but Ekard was always cordial yet firm.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s aggressive targeting of major law firms, many of which have advocated liberal policy positions and clients, also marks a striking new front in his second-term legal battles, as the administration pressures firms seen as politically hostile or unwilling to back its agenda.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
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Leonard was good enough to practically claim Game 2 by himself in the hostile altitude.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Those stubborn dark spots that once felt like permanent guests on my face are finally starting to fade, and my complexion looks brighter and more even-toned.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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To attract colorful and feisty hummingbirds, keep their feeders full of nectar.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
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Couples must use this feisty, flirty energy to let loose together and have fun!—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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