scrappy

adjective

Definition of scrappynext
1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversial
given to arguing a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything

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 scrappy Rizzotti, the scrappy point guard, is two years older and helped recruit Sales. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026 This patchwork quilt, known among quilters as a scrappy patchwork quilt or postage stamp quilt style, uses a lot of fabric prints and textures—from stripes and plaid to gingham and solids. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026 Ngumoha helped to inject some excitement into a largely scrappy spectacle. — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2026 If anyone can spin up a replica of your product in minutes, how will any young scrappy founder survive? — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy
  1. aggressive
  2. controversial
  3. militant
  4. contentious
  5. hostile
  6. polemical
  7. feisty
  8. stubborn
Adjective
  • His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • The fallout from that controversial attempt has divided the soccer landscape, with continental confederations and individual national associations all split on whether a change in FIFA leadership is needed.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This curved, laughing hyena is a reference to the Laffer Curve, a famous — and controversial — economic theory named after economist Arthur Laffer.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • Released foreign prisoners, mainly Syrian Islamist militant prisoners, would be transferred to Lebanon’s General Security intelligence agency that is responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Trump had said Israeli forces would withdraw as the Hamas militant group’s disarmament is completed.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Transcripts reviewed by ProPublica and The Post show the hearing frequently resembled a contentious criminal trial.
    — Molly Hensley-Clancy, ProPublica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The team was in bankruptcy court in part because of legal issues with its prior owner, Frank McCourt, who was locked in contentious divorce proceedings.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • The high risk of – and challenges of addressing – oil spills and other safety incidents in the hostile Arctic climate are another dissuading factor, as are environmental costs of operating there.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The episode picks up when Bret and Robert have their first tense interaction — their vaguely hostile and lightly homoerotic back-and-forth continues to be the highlight of the show for me.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Even so, the film’s gaze is more anthropological than polemical, especially given the faux-doc vibe created by its abundant handheld camerawork, seemingly filmed sometimes by the actors themselves.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Now, in the 1500s and 1600s, that phrase was often used by Catholics in their polemical war against Protestants.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Definition of polemical
Adjective
  • But neither the feisty spirit of Olive Penderghast nor the tragic legacy of Hester Prynne can be found anywhere near Gluck’s baffling interpretation of Braun’s once-promising tale.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Franklin had a reputation as one of the feistiest juniors in the country, a brat with a big ego and a big mouth.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of feisty
Adjective
  • Volatile job numbers, stubborn inflation and changes to the Fed’s communications style are all stirring up uncertainty in markets and raising the stakes for upcoming economic data releases — including this week’s inflation report.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The softening job market may complicate the calculation for the Federal Reserve, which is also battling stubborn inflation.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn

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scrapping
scrappy
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Cite this Entry

“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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