LOUSY Synonyms: 338 Similar and Opposite Words

lousy

adjective

ˈlau̇-zē

Definition of lousy

as in lame

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust why, you lousy cheater!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poor

falling short of a standard I actually play a pretty lousy game of tennis

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory the restaurant served a lousy meal that we shouldn't have had to pay for

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cheap

of low quality a tacky store selling lousy souvenirs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crowded

possessing or covered with great numbers or amounts of something specified a Manhattan neighborhood that is lousy with wannabe actors

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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 lousy That have to do with overregulation and a lousy business climate? — Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 13 Aug. 2026 He’s made some pretty good moves and some pretty lousy ones during his tenure. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 July 2026 If wildfire events will get only more common, then this lousy measure must be fixed. — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 Will there be rioting in the streets once audiences get some idea of how lousy Supergirl is? — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lousy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lousy

Adjective

Supporters hope for a vote during the post-election lame-duck session, potentially as part of a year-end package.

— Shira Lazar, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026
Even as Swift shines in the light of holy matrimony, there are still plenty of lame dudes out there for Taylor to crush across three-minute pop masterstrokes — and, God-willing, there always will be.

— Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

Platforms prefill a name, email and phone number so a user can submit in one tap without leaving the feed, which is wonderful for a consumer promotion and terrible for a six-figure investment.

— Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Saddled with terrible reviews and negative word-of-mouth, Tom Cruise‘s absurdist dark comedy has cratered at the box office with $8 million in North America and $20 million globally in its first weekend of release.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

The service is intended to provide a more streamlined travel experience, including access to private terminals rather than crowded commercial airport facilities.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Cal chooses to lure Aron to Kate’s, chooses to present Aron to his mother in the middle of the crowded brothel, chooses to hurt both of them in this moment.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of crowded

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

The group Save Our Beaches San Clemente, however, says adding more rocks on the coast to protect the railroad is unacceptable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Russia's demands for Ukraine to surrender its territory, among other things, are unacceptable for Kyiv.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Adjective

Hill is a free agent after a horrible injury suffered last season.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Ashley Flynn’s sister, Kayla Keyt, said during her victim statement that her family could not overcome their sense of shock and despair after learning that Flynn betrayed them in such a violent and horrible way.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Browse Nearby Words

lousing up

lousy

lout

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Style

“Lousy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lousy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lousy

adjective

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