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
When filmmakers have tried to skew slightly earthier, as in Jacques Rivette’s 1985 version, the result is a sort of grungy take on traditional Gothic tropes.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.
—Fielding Buck, Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
But also because the grungy wash was new territory for Clooney.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
But over time, pods get grungy and moldy just like your coffee pot does.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grungy
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.
—Fielding Buck, Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
But also because the grungy wash was new territory for Clooney.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
But over time, pods get grungy and moldy just like your coffee pot does.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grungy
Adjective
-
Her jeans are filthy; her blonde hair hangs in loose, greasy strings; bruises speckle her thin arms, and there’s a patch of blood above her right eye.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Allegations of betting on suicide Like other detainees, Ramsingh said that between cleanings, the rooms, restrooms and showers were often filthy and infested with insects.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This Milwaukee program takes dilapidated houses, acquired by the city through property tax foreclosure, and rehabs them for new home buyers.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Such as dilapidated neighborhoods, toxic air, unkept public parks, failing infrastructure, unreliable public transportation and low wages.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to stick around for the twice-daily gunfights staged in the dusty streets by local thespians in 10-gallon hats.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
After each dangerous sequence, however, the singer is shown casually brushing himself off and returning to set, while the stunt performers who executed the risky scenes appear bruised and dusty as filming wraps.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When first performed at L.A. Opera a decade ago, the lavish production, co-produced with English National Opera, helped recover a neglected opera.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
His refusal to weaponize suffering is one of his most important — and most neglected— lessons.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 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
-
Step into Lucy Score’s romance universe Score is goofy and humble, ready with a dirty or self-deprecating joke.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Twizzlers brand has introduced a new flavor of its fan-favorite Twizzlers straws that have been inspired by the dirty soda craze.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Place a dab of olive oil on a soft cloth and gently rub the stained area.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
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The stained glass of the smoking room had had a red hue based on the Olympic, but was changed to yellow based on the Titanic artifacts.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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,
5 Mar. 2026
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Also, his name is muddier than the contestants after a crawl under a net challenge.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grungy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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