1
as in filthy
not clean
clean off those grubby hands before you touch anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dirty
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
that's a grubby reason to stop talking to a friend
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grubby
Still, unlacquered brass hardware gets very grubby over the years from countless fingers grabbing handles and pulls.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
The hinged handle has grippy silicone for little hands, plus a push-button lid that snaps shut to keep the straw clean (because those little hands can get more than a little grubby and germy as the day goes on).
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Both the series, which debuted in August 1976 and starred Linda Lavin, and the movie were set on the outskirts of Phoenix at the grubby Mel’s Diner.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Now, the world is essentially the puppet of the A.I. big bad known as The Entity, which has gotten its grubby digital claws into the global psyche as well as most of the world’s nuclear arsenals.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grubby
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
The hinged handle has grippy silicone for little hands, plus a push-button lid that snaps shut to keep the straw clean (because those little hands can get more than a little grubby and germy as the day goes on).
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Both the series, which debuted in August 1976 and starred Linda Lavin, and the movie were set on the outskirts of Phoenix at the grubby Mel’s Diner.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Now, the world is essentially the puppet of the A.I. big bad known as The Entity, which has gotten its grubby digital claws into the global psyche as well as most of the world’s nuclear arsenals.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grubby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grubby
Adjective
-
On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
For collaborating with British officers while on parole, he was transferred to solitary confinement in a filthy cell.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And the result at the end of the day is a truly grotesque dirty water container, which does feel like a job well done.—
Loz Blain
October 14,
New Atlas,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Trump is suing his Wall Street Journal for reporting about his dirty doodle to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Just past the cattle-ranching town of Bridgeport in northern California, near the border of Nevada, this deserted mining community is frozen in time along its dusty desert road.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The fan grates in the walk-in cooler were dusty, and the walk-in freezer evaporator lacked part covers.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As the world searches for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, researchers are turning to materials that are safer, cheaper, and easier to source.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Financial sacrifices, dilemmas loom Norfolk military families said the shutdown had heightened the stakes of their financial choices, from comparison-shopping for the cheapest toilet paper to frequenting Costco to buy in bulk.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The stained glass traces a hierarchy from the current dean to the Crown and then to God.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Wood stained baseboards may need a gentler cleaning approach, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, to protect the finish.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
My only complaint is that the light blue stripes on the arm look printed, not stitched, which is kinda lame.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Another main issue is that the power grind itself now being the endgame is no longer a good motivator to play, nor is the Tier system with 3s not much different than 4s or 5s, and all past weapons being somewhat lame now outside of that system entirely.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
The Browns have scored the second-fewest points in the NFL, ahead of only the pitiful Tennessee Titans.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
On the side of the highway, Wilson cuts a pitiful, solitary figure.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grubby. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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