1
as in filthy
not clean
after playing outside, the kids came in grungy and in need of a good bath
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
even though this grungy sweatshirt is falling apart, it's still my favorite
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grungy
More toward the rowdy end are the closet-sized bars of Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, a warren of grungy alleys home to snug drinking holes with obscure themes and idiosyncratic bartender-owners.
—
Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
As the 2000s set in, the artist’s style took on a more grungy approach.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 27 June 2025
The style can truly be paired with all hemline lengths, as well as ultra-feminine and grungy ‘fits both.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
Black Francis and Emma Richardson — who joined the band in 2024 — crooned the grungy, guitar heavy tune.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
As the 2000s set in, the artist’s style took on a more grungy approach.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 27 June 2025
The style can truly be paired with all hemline lengths, as well as ultra-feminine and grungy ‘fits both.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
Black Francis and Emma Richardson — who joined the band in 2024 — crooned the grungy, guitar heavy tune.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grungy
Adjective
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One of the canines was wrapped in a spring protruding from a broken, threadbare couch, and yelping for help when cops arrived at the filthy apartment in the Belmont section of the Bronx on Aug. 4, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
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An image of the inside of the bunker, released by the sheriff’s office, showed a filthy mattress in a corner, a folding chair and a fan.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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The real estate flipper and property manager who built his empire on broken promises Former real estate broker Bert Whalen lived comfortably in a waterfront mansion on Geist Reservoir while Indianapolis tenants suffered in dilapidated and neglected homes his companies managed.—
Alexandria Burris,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
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By now, most Denverites know that the Denver Broncos’ ownership team is highly considering acquiring the dilapidated and contaminated Burnham Yard site from the state to build a new stadium and entertainment district.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Spectacular scenery certainly helps, as the story traverses from dusty Andean plains to harrowing mountain roads to capital city La Paz.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Aug. 2025
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Axel Hunnicutt stood by the side of a dusty dirt road in California’s high country rangeland and howled like a wolf.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Close the Loop Following through on commitments is the simplest and yet shockingly most neglected way to earn long-term trust.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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But its location in the neglected and overgrown space remains a mystery.—
Laura L. Davis,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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Beyond discomfort and potential allergic reactions, a dirty mattress can also affect the quality of your sleep itself.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Aug. 2025
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Inspection reports revealed problems with mold, water leaks, dirty equipment and rooms, meat debris stuck on walls and equipment, various bugs, and, at one point, puddles of blood on the floor.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Officials recommend that volunteers wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get muddy, the release said.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
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While the handful of '90s Virtual Boy developers did their best under this limitation, the hardware's red-on-black graphics have aged even worse than the often muddy grayscale found on the original Game Boy.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Havaianas Keys flip-flop, in black, which was decked out with silver keys along the straps.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
5 Aug. 2025
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The all-star Back to the Beginning concert, which reportedly raised more than $190 million for charities, included Osbourne playing five songs from his solo career and four more with his original Sabbath bandmates while seated on a black throne.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grungy. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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