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

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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

The last vestiges of the Jim Harbaugh era have been scrubbed from the football program, which now belongs to Kyle Whittingham. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026 SpaceX is planning to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites into low orbit on Tuesday after scrubbing the mission before takeoff on Monday. — Lora Kolodny,samantha Subin, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Noun

That was exacerbated by the extreme heat this year in France and Spain, which in many cases turned scrub grassland into a tinderbox. — Simon Constable, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 At Javvu Spa, kids can indulge in treatments tailored to them, including a mini coconut scrub, a mini mani-pedi, and mini meditation sessions. — Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrub

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrub

Verb

Infantino was forced to scrap the plan early Saturday after his senior adviser who sat on a White House panel resigned and Asia’s soccer body joined Europe and North America in opposing it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
MaiaSpace has scrapped plans to conduct a suborbital test flight of its Maia rocket, opting instead to proceed straight to a full orbital launch attempt for the vehicle’s inaugural flight in the second half of 2027, European Spaceflight reports.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of scrap

Verb

Owner Aliana Gurris said the state canceled the business' contract to serve Medicaid clients with no explanation.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 31 July 2026
On June 5, 2025, roughly six months before the early signing period, Henderson canceled his official visit to Florida State.

— Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

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
The two planets, named TOI-791 b and TOI-791 c, orbit an F7-type dwarf star roughly 1,110 light years away in the southern constellation of Volans.

— Chris Young July 30, Refractor, 30 July 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

Burke’s phone was the last device connected to the Tesla before it was abandoned, the detective said, and surveillance footage showed him near the vehicle.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
But the threat alone has persuaded some ships to abandon their plans to exit the Red Sea heading south.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 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

As of this week, the committee’s previous recommendation to revoke Eastside’s request for proposal to build the redevelopment had not garnered final approval by, or appeared on a meeting agenda of, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners.

— Sofi Zeman July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
McDonald, though, said national leaders have warned that barring transgender members would open the DAR up to having its tax-exempt status revoked, which McDonald disputes.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026

Definition of revoke

Verb

Instead of lobbying for the law, Congress should be thinking about reforming, if not repealing, it.

— James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
The strength of that brand allowed the local beer industry to bounce back fairly quickly after Prohibition was repealed in 1933.

— Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 21 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrub

verb

noun

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