SCRAPPY Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

scrappy

adjective

Definition of scrappy

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

as in controversial

given to arguing a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything

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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 workplace comedy started as a scrappy passion project — Gillis uploaded a pilot to YouTube in 2019 before the trio financed and produced a six-episode first season independently in Pennsylvania. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 But life on an island also inspires a scrappy, home-town camaraderie. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 The group’s early music was lo-fi, vintage-leaning, and just twee enough to make the scrappy garage rockers an emblem of early-mid aughts Urban Outfitters hipsterdom. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026 So the Mets have gone all in on this scrappy group of journeymen relievers and star smashers. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy

Adjective

The customized coupe features a T-top roof, aggressive aero body kit, and a graphics package that could have appeared in the original The Fast and the Furious.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
At 5-10, 198 pounds, Parrish mostly played nickel corner in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme and shined as a rookie.

— PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

But it's been hard as a journalist to watch the wall-to-wall coddling of one of the most controversial figures of the past decade.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
So, that means the new book by Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, has been a little controversial in some circles.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

The conflicting statements came just days after Pakistani fighter jets struck sites in eastern Afghanistan that Islamabad said were militant hideouts, an escalation between Kabul and Islamabad that threatens mediation efforts by regional powers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Pakistan often accuses Kabul of sheltering the TTP and turning a blind eye to cross-border militant attacks.

— Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

The Bears are pursuing a contentious move to Indiana, where state officials have offered over $1 billion in public support to build a new stadium in the northeast city of Hammond, just on the other side of the Illinois border.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Mulambo Haimbe said Washington had agreed to remove contentious data-sharing provisions.

— Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

The lawsuit is one of at least 13 cases filed in 2026 by current and former Independence Police Department officers alleging hostile work environments and dysfunction within the department.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Chambliss aims to join them while avoiding a long list of talented signal callers who fell apart in one of the sport’s most-hostile environments.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 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

Buffalo, one of the MAC’s more feisty teams each season, takes on the always tough Penn State Nitany Lions.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
The film features a feisty turn from Penélope Cruz as a cabaret dancer and a cameo from Glenn Close as a modern-day hispanist, accompanying Spanish stars Miguel Bernardeau, Guitarricadelafuente, Milo Quifes and Carlos Gutiérrez in lead roles.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of feisty

Adjective

Apple's stubborn insistence on keeping base iPhones at 60Hz while budget Android phones offer zippier refresh rates has always baffled me.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Bigger paychecks sought While the economy may be showing signs of acceleration, stubborn inflation has eroded Americans’ take-home pay.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stubborn

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“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrappy

adjective

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