1
as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
the cat looked rather funny, all bedraggled and fit to be tied after her bath
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filthy
not clean
found flood victims in bedraggled clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wet
to make wet
I was so bedraggled by the relentless rain that I couldn't wait to get into some dry clothes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bedraggled
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Another volunteer who also wants in, Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson), is a bedraggled punk wearing a ratty princess costume for reasons also to be disclosed.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
England’s Ashes with the ball ended with Carse, Josh Tongue, a bedraggled Matthew Potts and part-time spinners Bethell and Will Jacks bowling Australia out for 567, their highest score of the series.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Although some houseplants don’t mind dry air, low humidity levels put stress on certain tropical plants and ferns, and leave plants looking bedraggled, or, in the worst case, slowly kill them.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedraggled
Adjective
As the bedraggled salesman Willy Loman, Peter Jacobson emotes a lot with his hands.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Another volunteer who also wants in, Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson), is a bedraggled punk wearing a ratty princess costume for reasons also to be disclosed.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
England’s Ashes with the ball ended with Carse, Josh Tongue, a bedraggled Matthew Potts and part-time spinners Bethell and Will Jacks bowling Australia out for 567, their highest score of the series.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Although some houseplants don’t mind dry air, low humidity levels put stress on certain tropical plants and ferns, and leave plants looking bedraggled, or, in the worst case, slowly kill them.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedraggled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedraggled
Adjective
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Adding the appropriate gothic touch to this Debra Hill production are John Lloyd’s dripping-with-mock-Victorian-splendor sets and John Morris’ delightfully tongue-in-cheek score.—
Kirk Ellis,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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Instead of haphazardly brushing it into your palm or reaching for a dripping sponge, try a handheld vacuum for a far more efficient solution.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Inside, filthy soldiers press up against the wood.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
-
Baker said while Fike's immediate surroundings were filthy, a brand-new hospital bed, urinal and wheelchair were available at the home.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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To achieve the bright look, Davy used a ColourPop eyeshadow palette, wetting the shadows with some water and using a concealer brush to apply them.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
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Also, water the hydrangea at its base instead of overhead to avoid wetting its leaves.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Dark Prints and Colors Porches have long defaulted to light palettes and natural finishes, but Eric Ross of Eric Ross Interiors is fielding more requests for saturated colors and bold prints—the kind of palette that usually stays indoors.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
6 May 2026
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Excessive screen time in the evening has been linked with lower sleep quality, while diets heavy in sugars and saturated fats can also make falling asleep more difficult and the experience less restorative.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
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In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Verb
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In 1994, Susan Smith drowned her two young children by strapping them in a car and rolling it into a South Carolina lake.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
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Autopsies later revealed that the three had drowned, MLive and WJRT reported.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Wet the stained area with water, dab it with rubbing alcohol, and blot the carpet.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
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That might mean a heavy-duty old-school wooden door with a stained finish or a high-gloss paint color that stands out from the street.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Commercial eggs are washed during processing, a step that removes the bloom entirely and makes refrigeration from that point forward non-negotiable.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
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Traditional quilts typically require a gentle cleaning process, but this one is actually low maintenance—so much so that it can be washed and dried without issue.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bedraggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedraggled. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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