SCRUB Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

scrub 1 of 2

verb

Definition of scrub

as in to scrap

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the outdoor art project was scrubbed when the organizers found out they needed permission from city hall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrub

2 of 2

noun

ˈskrəb

as in toy

something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had

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 scrub

Verb

Following the grain from top to bottom, wipe the shutters with the damp cloth, gently scrubbing any stains. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 Shortly after, Polk scrubbed his Instagram account clean and went dark. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

The first delay was for a week when several engines failed to start, and then a second scrub came July 23 when Tropical Storm Bertha brought poor weather to Texas. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 July 2026 There are also other traditional spa therapies such as scrubs, oil cleansings, and dry brushing, but Surya Spa also offers experiences like sound baths, Ayurvedic astrology readings, and even cooking classes. — Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrub

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrub

Verb

Bad actors used to hastily scrap together basic scripts – instructions for automating tasks – to achieve their goals, according to Meyers.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
But completely scrapping all sanctions on Iran would require legislative changes by Congress, where very few things are getting through these days.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrap

Noun

Burbank has an independent video game store, a board game store, a vintage toy store, a year-round Halloween store, the Horror Boodega convenience store and two comic book stores, Reifenberg said.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Unless that toy was cleaned before it was disinfected, the germs remain.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of toy

Noun

To avoid this, sow dwarf crepe myrtles at least 4 to 6 feet apart, space standard-sized trees at least 8 feet from each other, and keep crepe myrtles of any size at least 3 feet away from fencing.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Around the dozens of containers that make Toolik the US’s largest research station in the Arctic, musk ox and caribou graze on dwarf birches and fragrant labrador tea, while Arctic ground squirrels pop out of their burrows to survey the tundra.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

To pull that off, Daunt abandoned an old business model whereby publishers gave Barnes & Noble a discount for carrying the same books at all its stores and positioning them in the same place for the same amount of time.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Like him, many other residents of the sizable tent community off Fish Hatchery Road have no plans to abandon their dwellings for a first-come, first-serve downtown shelter bed that may not be available the next night.

— Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of abandon

Noun

The more common nickname, El Mencho, is said to be a diminutive of his first name, Nemesio.

— Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Another gender-neutral name that had a burst of popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Jamie was a go-to for girls or a diminutive of James for boys.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026

Definition of diminutive

Verb

Dissenting judges agreed, noting the law banning children at drag shows was passed amid questionable attempts by Florida officials to revoke liquor licenses from venues hosting them.

— Ana Goni Lessan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
While those surgeries were canceled, the cases made headlines several years ago, prompting a spike in people around the country revoking their organ donor registrations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of revoke

Browse Nearby Words

scroungy

scrub

scrubbed

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“Scrub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrub. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrub

verb

noun

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