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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The first half was a scrappy, testy affair with very little rhythm or rhyme from both teams. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 From antiquity to outer space, literature and film are filled with scrappy adventurers struggling to get home. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 Yet Trollhunter remains his most fleshed-out and daring work, a cunning, scrappy little experiment that features impactful performances and action sequences. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 Led by its captain and best player of all-time, Mohamed Salah, Egypt survived its toughest test against a youthful and scrappy Australia squad on Friday at AT&T Stadium with a penalty shootout win in the round of 32. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 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
  • The fire department said firefighters quickly went into defensive mode because the flames were so aggressive.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Starting the playoffs in the wild-card round reduces the World Series odds that Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has repeatedly cited as a factor in how aggressive a front office should be at the trade deadline.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Any deal to give Saudi Arabia nuclear technology could prove controversial, both domestically and within the wider Middle East region.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Brady’s most recent interactions with the controversial wrestler, 31, have sparked debate online about the former quarterback’s career trajectory.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • The militant group Hamas has reached an agreement with the Board of Peace – tasked with implementing a long term ceasefire plan in Gaza – to relinquish its weapons, a senior official told CNN on Friday.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Some Israeli strikes and militant attacks have continued since then.
    — Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • In Cairo, two Egyptian sources said Hamas had agreed to several contentious points, including the handover of weapons, but had requested changes regarding the definition of the infrastructure to be dismantled, adding more talks were underway.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
  • With tariffs pushing up prices of goods and energy markets swinging on geopolitical news, the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee concluded its July 2026 meeting with a contentious 9-3 vote to hold interest rates steady.
    — Brandy Hadley, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The company has faced workplace and labor complaints, including allegations of racial discrimination and hostile conditions in warehouses.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • 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
  • Tarring someone with the pedant brush is polemical, of course.
    — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026
Definition of polemical
Adjective
  • Upton Stout was arguably the 49ers’ top defender last season as a feisty rookie in the slot.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • Boys with their toys, thought The Times’ feisty critic Isabelle Morse Jones.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of feisty
Adjective
  • Backed by water tankers and a helicopter, firefighters on Sunday fought to contain a stubborn wildfire in Northern California that prompted officials to order evacuations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
  • Individual quality and a moment of magic can often be the key to unlock a stubborn defence, and Vinicius Jr has frequently been the difference for Madrid.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of stubborn

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Cite this Entry

“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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