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 Whereas his father is macho and courageous, Hiccup comes across scrawny and sensitive. Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025 The new film follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young and scrawny Viking boy who refuses to follow his tribe’s tradition of hunting dragons. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 June 2025 New Atlas Given their electric underpinnings, scrawny body styles, and retro design cues, Flying Flea's bikes don't appear to be designed for mass appeal. New Atlas, 24 May 2025 His cheeks have sunk into the hollows of his face, his ribs are protruding, and his scrawny limbs are little more than bone. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrawny
Adjective
  • This isn’t about fat or skinny, this is about being healthy.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
  • It's got bar-end indicators perfect for skinny folk to be seen from behind and for the rest of us to be easily seen from the front.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Ravens are thin there, with rookie third-round tackle Emery Jones Jr. still yet to make his summer debut because of a shoulder injury and potentially starting the regular season on the non-football injury list.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Details on the election process are thin, but many citizens could be casting their votes in an active conflict zone or under the eyes of armed soldiers – a terrifying prospect that some say could lead to more violence.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Istanbul pulses with history—its skyline crowned with slender minarets, grand domes, and bustling bazaars filled with copperware, carpets, and the scent of roasted chestnuts.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Ware brought along a friend, a slender man introduced as Catfish who had his own land management problems.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scrawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrawny. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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