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frowsty

adjective

ˈfrau̇-stē How to pronounce frowsty (audio)
Definition of frowstynext
chiefly British
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell she wrote her first novel while living in a frowsty, mold-ridden flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frowsty
  1. stinking
  2. ripe
  3. frowsy
  4. fetid
  5. filthy
  6. fusty
  7. malodorous
  8. foul
Adjective
  • America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.
    — Mary Ellen Klas, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
  • Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • Even though outbreaks are not currently reported for mumps, rubella, pertussis or tetanus, the environment is ripe.
    — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • This is the moment for the Gulf states, the US, Israel, and their allies to take advantage of a ripe opportunity to act together.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of ripe
Adjective
  • Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Before the current renovation of the franchised hotels, the rooms looked as if they were stuck in a fussy, frowsy 1980s floral rut.
    — BostonGlobe.com, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Oct. 2019
Definition of frowsy
Adjective
  • However, the Mariners play in the AL West, a fetid swamp of baseball disappointment.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Lineage warehouse fire, which erupted a mile away nearly two months ago, still blankets the church every morning with the fetid stench of millions of pounds of rotting food that have yet to be trucked away.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of fetid
Adjective
  • Jurors heard testimony from three of Alsheikh’s victims who said they were packed into small, filthy, cold, wet cells that were infested with insects and other vermin.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • That praise rings true more than a decade later thanks to joke after filthy joke, cameo after foul-mouthed cameo, scare after genuine scare.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of filthy
Adjective
  • Rooms feel traditional, yet never fusty, with cheerful blue and green quilts and rich wood furnishings.
    — Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
  • No one’s fusty, but there’s the traditional one and there’s the modern one.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of fusty
Adjective
  • Skunks can cause anxiety in homeowners by harming lawns and possibly threatening Rover with their malodorous defenses.
    — Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026
  • Be advised that only a small fraction of arums are malodorous.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Definition of malodorous
Adjective
  • Redness, open sores, discharge, foul-smelling ears, lumps or recurring skin issues all warrant a vet visit, not a grooming session.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Redness, sores, unusual discharge, foul-smelling ears or lumps should all go to a vet rather than a home grooming session.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of foul
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

frowns (on or upon)
frowsty
frowsy
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Cite this Entry

“Frowsty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frowsty. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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