scrub 1 of 2

verb

Definition of scrubnext
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 How to pronounce scrub (audio)
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
Hancock recommends using a gritty baking soda paste to scrub plant pots and gardening tools that have soil or debris caked on. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026 Dip a soft, old toothbrush in the soapy solution and scrub the stained area. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Century City flagship in Los Angeles, for example, carries the full women's and men's ranges alongside its more recent scrubs business, while incorporating smart fitting rooms connected to customers' membership profiles and purchase histories. — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Spray the problem area, wait for 30 minutes or so, and scrub until there’s little solution left. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrub
  1. scrap
  2. toy
  3. cancel
  4. dwarf
  5. abandon
  6. diminutive
  7. revoke
  8. repeal
Verb
  • The Cowboys and Saints were fined $500,000 apiece for scrapping at their joint practice this week.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The film initially touched on the 1993 allegations against the singer, but a binding legal clause in the $20 million settlement with one accuser forced producers to scrap the third act, rewrite the script, reshoot, and end the first film in 1987.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of scrap
Noun
  • Pack a favorite toy, blanket, bed or other comfort item, along with a leash or harness and a secure carrier if appropriate.
    — Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Goodees began as an emoji-style logo for Goodbai before evolving into a fuzzy character and eventually an intellectual property universe dubbed Goodees World, tapping into China’s plush-toy craze accelerated by Pop Mart.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of toy
Verb
  • Town leaders canceled their contract with Flock Safety, saying a legal review found the agreement violated state law.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The franchise was canceled after a 2006 Texas operation in which Rockwall County assistant district attorney Louis Conradt died by suicide as authorities and the show’s crew closed in on his home.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cancel
Noun
  • When a larger galaxy pulls apart a smaller dwarf galaxy, the dwarf’s stars can stretch into a stream — a cosmic breadcrumb trail of that encounter.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some small plants that do well in shallow water are dwarf water lilies, water forget-me-nots, water mint, and dwarf sedge varieties.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dwarf
Verb
  • That’s not to say that Tehran is going to abandon its proxies – far from it.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And it's kind of abandoned, not very well maintained at the time.
    — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 19 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
  • In response to these findings, the Twin Rivers Unified School District voted in January to revoke the school’s charter.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Following the display, Budnik's official recognition was revoked and organizers sought the return of his physical gold medal, according to reports.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of revoke
Verb
  • After public pushback, state legislators backtracked and repealed some of the requirements.
    — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
  • If approved by voters, the top-two primary would be repealed and the system would revert to its prior version, insuring every qualified political party could have a candidate advance in the primary to the general election.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of repeal

Browse Nearby Words

scroungy
scrub
scrubbed
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Cite this Entry

“Scrub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrub. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scrub

Nglish: Translation of scrub for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scrub

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