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
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Recent Examples of scrappy
An importer and chef duo—both originally from Italy, both named Gabriele—run this scrappy Italian deli on one of Seattle’s oldest blocks in Pioneer Square.
—
Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
The Knicks will have to buckle down and win two of the next four contests against a scrappy Cleveland Cavaliers team, but the fans will unfortunately have to watch from the comfort of their own couches.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
At least two chances to build on a scrappy 1-0 lead, to put some space between you and John Tortorella’s master plan.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Keller built an early lead, but a scrappy Trinity squad rallied and came up just short as the Indians took Game 1 of the series, 5-4, on Thursday at Weatherford College.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
The Knicks will have to buckle down and win two of the next four contests against a scrappy Cleveland Cavaliers team, but the fans will unfortunately have to watch from the comfort of their own couches.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
At least two chances to build on a scrappy 1-0 lead, to put some space between you and John Tortorella’s master plan.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Keller built an early lead, but a scrappy Trinity squad rallied and came up just short as the Indians took Game 1 of the series, 5-4, on Thursday at Weatherford College.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy
Adjective
-
Extra deployments, additional monitoring of cameras, more intelligence sharing and even drone deployments are part of an aggressive, proactive approach in an elevated threat environment, officials say.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
But the World Cup presents a challenge for an administration that has placed aggressive immigration enforcement at the top of its agenda.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday to implement a 150-day moratorium on data centers after months of debate over how to handle the increasingly controversial projects.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
Many voters associate candidates with controversial politicians Crime, particularly extortion, was the overarching concern for voters.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The operation, according to the army’s statement, was conducted in the Mandara mountains, which form part of the militant group’s stronghold.—
Dyepkazah Shibayan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Israel’s strikes and ground invasion in Lebanon in pursuit of Hezbollah, and the militant group’s resistance to disarming, have complicated an overall deal to end the war in the Middle East.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Firpi has appeared as either a psychological evaluator or guardian ad litem in numerous contentious custody battles.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Water use is emerging as one of the most contentious data center issues.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Weiss and Tom Cibrowski were openly hostile from the start.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
The Space Force budget has grown significantly in recent years, and one of its mandates is countering spying and potentially hostile acts by Russian and Chinese spacecraft in these orbits.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Colleges and universities nationwide continue to grapple with polemic issues associated with the fair treatment of individuals of differing backgrounds, political persuasions, and sexuality.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Schreiber starred on the big screen in 2018's Den of Thieves and memorably played the feisty leprechaun Mad Sweeney on Starz's American Gods.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
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Don't give up yet, because these feisty birds could still return later in the season to amuse you with their antics.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Grab a melamine sponge and get rid of stubborn bathtub stains in a jiffy.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
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If the Avs remain stubborn and play a style that suits their stars in the regular season, MacKinnon might win another title, but will be at the end of his career with another team.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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