scrawny

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scrawny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scrawny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

When could gaunt be used to replace scrawny?

The words gaunt and scrawny can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than scrawny?

Although the words lank and scrawny have much in common, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

In what contexts can lanky take the place of scrawny?

The synonyms lanky and scrawny are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When is it sensible to use lean instead of scrawny?

While the synonyms lean and scrawny are close in meaning, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than scrawny?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrawny, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When can spare be used instead of scrawny?

In some situations, the words spare and scrawny are roughly equivalent. However, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 scrawny The stray was scrawny, short-haired, and had a scratched and scarred nose. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 Proctor was a scrawny 12-year-old surfing Malibu’s Second Point in the mid-1980s when Miod paddled up and introduced himself. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 With that miniature battery, the company estimates the sports car could deliver a scrawny 250-kilometer range on Europe’s WLPT cycle, which equates to roughly 200 km (125 miles) by U.S. measures. IEEE Spectrum, 15 July 2024 Nestor Lorenzo has managed Rodriguez well so far (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) A decade ago, Diaz was a scrawny 17-year-old from Barrancas with dreams of becoming a professional player. Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 12 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for scrawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrawny
Adjective
  • She was dressed for vacation in a sheer white long sleeve mini dress and slides, while the realtor wore a casual travel-day combo of skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and sneakers.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • Ball is too inattentive on that end despite his impressive offensive skill set, and Miller is quite skinny and struggles to wall up on opposing guards and wings through his core.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Biden administration lowered prices on 10 widely prescribed drugs, such as the blood thinner Eliquis, which will take effect in 2026.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Apple touts its 13-inch iPad Pro as the thinnest Apple device at 0.20 inches.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The animals have longer beaks, a more slender build and more distinctive dorsal fins than common bottlenose dolphins, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation, a nonprofit.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease begins in the slender tubes that carry digestive bile and is associated with symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, fever and night sweats.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scrawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrawny. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scrawny

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