SCABBY Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

scabby

adjective

ˈska-bē

Definition of scabby

as in lame

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust that's a scabby trick to play on someone trying to help

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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 scabby One of the most common is apple scab, which is a fungal disease that causes dark, scabby spots to appear on the leaves and fruit. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026 Wheat can be treated to remove scabby kernels. — Tom W. Allen, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025 Darken and thicken it for old and scabby goop. — Mark Hay, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025 There were the same cars on the blocks, the clotheslines, and the scabby back yards. — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025 As buzzy, crowd-pleasing indie comedies got snatched up for millions, the festival's scabby mutant black sheep went untouched, until horror-specific streaming service Shudder stepped in. — Charles Bramesco, Esquire, 20 July 2017 People walk up and try to grab a sample with dirty, bleeding, scabby hands not realizing that other people will also be sampling that food. — Abigail Van Buren, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scabby

Adjective

But between now, November and the lame-duck period, there’s still time to pass legislation before election results shake things up.

— Washington Post Opinions, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
Payton seemed awfully pleased with himself for his lame dad joke.

— Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of lame

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

By the time her wedding day arrived on Saturday, all that was left for Jordyn to do was take it all in—and get her dress dirty at some point along the way.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Recently, my dad discovered these non-slip couch covers that protect the upholstery on their couches from dirty paws.

— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

Brands like Slate and Ford are betting cheaper, smaller electric trucks can attract buyers priced out of larger pickups.

— Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Beyond removing the psychological and practical barrier of injections, oral formulations are not reliant on syringes or refrigeration and are cheaper to manufacture.

— Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

The former Cardinal is an absolute brawler with over 90 NFL starts who brings the exact nasty, tone-setting violence this interior unit needs.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Disney World has unveiled new, delightfully dark details for two rides heading to its perfectly wretched Villains Land area set to open at the Magic Kingdom park.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026
Hashimi’s tale of unflagging effort amid wretched inequality astounds.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026

Definition of wretched

Browse Nearby Words

scab

scabby

scabrous

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“Scabby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scabby. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scabby

adjective

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