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

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 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 Pantochino Productions is lively, scrappy, small theater company in Milford. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 The company’s first raise in January 2016 was typical of the early, scrappy years of Israel’s tech startup scene. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy

Adjective

Andersen in particular has struggled with such an aggressive role, where recovery pace and stomping channel defending are required to keep the shape.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Brown has two catches that converted third downs into firsts, providing a release valve against some aggressive Seahawks blitzes.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

So … when will the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard finally join the Toronto Raptors and put an end to his controversial Clippers tenure?

— Law Murray, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Another user also criticized the company in a Microsoft Learn article, and pointed to Harry Potter author JK Rowling and her controversial views on transgender people.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003, accused of developing and directing the 9/11 attacks, as a leader of the Islamic militant group Al Qaeda.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The militant group is now likely to be even more maximalist in its demands and in its ambitions to assert control across the Red Sea.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

The union planned to conclude a contentious bargaining period with Stellantis on Friday.

— Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
When the parents are suspected of child abuse, Norway's powerful child protection services gets involved and takes the five kids away, including a baby, and kicks off a long and contentious legal process that takes a toll on Mihai and Lisbet.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

Terrorism wasn’t a completely foreign concept, but the notion of a hostile, coordinated attack on our soil, at that scale, seemed like something that might only happen in a Tom Clancy novel or a summer blockbuster movie.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Now, civil engineer Jishen Qiu and his team wondered if engineers could exploit Mars’s hostile climate, rather than fighting the planet’s extremely low temperature.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 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

That journey starts with head coach Marcus Freeman going against his former boss Luke Fickell and what could be a quietly feisty Wisconsin squad.

— Justin Williams, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Alyson Hannigan was Lily, a kindergarten teacher and Marshall’s loving, supportive wife, who also happens to have a wild, feisty, and neurotic side.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of feisty

Adjective

Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
This skirt creates a temporary seal to help focus airflow on extra-stubborn dirt.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of stubborn

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“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrappy

adjective

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