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

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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

Baking soda’s mild abrasiveness helps scrub away light stains and grime without scratching your toilet bowl’s porcelain. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Sep. 2026 Gently scrub the area in small circles to help lift any oily or pigmented residue. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Noun

Many everyday products, including disinfectants, fresheners, and scrubs, contain ingredients that can be dangerous for pets. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 1 Oct. 2026 The Gamecocks took care of the two scrubs on their schedule to start the year before getting their tail feathers handed to them in back to back weeks to begin SEC play. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrub

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrub

Verb

Gartner expects more than 40% of agentic AI projects, which are projects built on AI that acts on its own rather than waiting for instructions, to be scrapped by the end of 2027, citing escalating costs and unclear business value among the reasons.

— Ciaran Cosgrave, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Lionsgate eventually pivoted to turning Ascendant into a TV movie for Starz that could launch a spinoff series, but the plan was scrapped after the cast, including Woodley and James, declined to return for a television format.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of scrap

Noun

In March, Mattel dolled up Williams in honor of International Women’s Day, putting the toy in a smart hounds tooth pantsuit and pearls to highlight her entrepreneurial side.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
What’s the one toy or book your kid doesn’t ignore after five minutes?

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of toy

Verb

Classes, activities and athletic events across Bend-La Pine Schools are canceled tomorrow, the district announced.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Ossoff last year also pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for canceling public health and environmental grants.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

While most citrus trees are too large for indoor growing, there are a few small or dwarf varieties of citrus that can be kept indoors year-round in pots.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
These explosions, known as hypernovas, were first proposed to explain unusual stars in the halo of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and in a neighboring dwarf galaxy.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

Executives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP and TotalEnergies abandoned the event, the FT reported, due to the potential danger.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
In Peru, the world’s largest catcher of anchovies, the fishing industry collapsed after the tiny baitfish abandoned the country’s waters for cooler northern climes.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 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

According to the producers, Casparina was in Beijing representing Indonesia at an international forum when her citizenship was revoked over her opposition to the new regime.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Proposals that would reform Section 230 range from adding exceptions for extreme cases to revoking immunity for social media companies altogether.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of revoke

Verb

On the first day of his second term, the Republican president repealed a Biden-era executive order aimed in part at guarding against the risks that AI systems pose to consumers, workers and national security.

— Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Some in the Legislature have tried to repeal that tax credit in recent years.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of repeal

Browse Nearby Words

scroungy

scrub

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“Scrub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrub. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrub

verb

noun

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