1
as in filthy
not clean
after playing outside, the kids came in grungy and in need of a good bath
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of grungy
There’s no hiding your old, grungy socks with holes in them, since shoes are removed quite regularly in public spaces.
—
Elaina Verhoff, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Styling a short-sleeve over a long-sleeve feels grungy and laid-back.
—Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026
But the Tarantino fetish becomes so pronounced in Russian writer-director Kirill Sokolov’s addition to the grungy revenge-thriller that every quick zoom and shock-cinema score cue starts to feel less like an adrenaline spike and more like a rib nudge.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
In a grungy space off Main Street, Liquid Diet’s mindbending cocktails evoke flavors of grocery store items like chocolate chip banana bread and bell peppers.
—Roger Kisby, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Elaina Verhoff, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Styling a short-sleeve over a long-sleeve feels grungy and laid-back.
—Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026
But the Tarantino fetish becomes so pronounced in Russian writer-director Kirill Sokolov’s addition to the grungy revenge-thriller that every quick zoom and shock-cinema score cue starts to feel less like an adrenaline spike and more like a rib nudge.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
In a grungy space off Main Street, Liquid Diet’s mindbending cocktails evoke flavors of grocery store items like chocolate chip banana bread and bell peppers.
—Roger Kisby, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grungy
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
Adjective
-
An operating license for a dilapidated Boba tea kiosk displays a 2024 expiration date.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Zaragoza stationed his men on the high ground, hidden behind cacti, behind walls of dilapidated forts, in ditches.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Two people were killed and two others injured when two vehicles collided head-on Friday evening along a dusty, deserted stretch of road in the Antelope Valley, authorities said.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
From rich red ‘Valentine’ to nearly orange ‘Sungold’ and the dusty plum of ‘Purple Bumble Bee,’ cherry tomatoes add instant color to a plate.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Focus on problems that are big, urgent and neglected.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
-
Cinematographer Guillermo Garza shoots neglected settings like fine art, embracing the grime.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
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
-
Microwaves seem to get dirty out of nowhere.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
-
But the dirty secret is most of them are awful.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some patrons arrive in suits, others in stained work shirts.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Spray the stained area with the solution and scrub with a microfiber cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Officers, according to Willis, followed muddy footprints to a nearby residence where McKinney SWAT was able to find Murry and handle a search warrant.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Thanks to the rubber slip-resistant outsole, these loafers provide great stability, especially on icy and muddy ground in winter and spring.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grungy. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
