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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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
Squeeze some toothpaste on, scrub around for a couple minutes, rinse and get on with your day. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026 Social media posts linking to the story have also been scrubbed from the internet. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
Other offerings include hydrating and volumizing shampoo and conditioner duos; a Deep Moisture Repair Hair Mask; a SahaScalp purifying scrub, and a recent trio of hair and body fragrance mists inspired by different Indian cities and states. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026 Many everyday products, including disinfectants, fresheners, and scrubs, contain ingredients that can be dangerous for pets. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 1 Oct. 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
  • This week, however, international timekeepers voted to scrap them and introduce the leap hour, the first of which might not happen for thousands of years.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of scrap
Noun
  • The industry sees it as a test of mature animation; big studios have avoided greenlighting such films because the rating can cut into toy and merchandise revenue.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • BofA’s category covers arts and crafts, hobby shops, ski resorts, outdoor retailers, educational toys and some toy stores.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of toy
Verb
  • Von Ferdinand had allegedly canceled all of her other appointments.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The program cancels outstanding debt for eligible borrowers who make 120 monthly payments, or 10 years of participation.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 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
  • Many hotels have abandoned single-use amenities, and the JW Marriott has followed that move by installing refillable shampoo and other containers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Fallen trees blocked forest roads, snow forced them to abandon some attempts and return later, and on one climb, a navigation error sent them up the wrong side of the peak.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 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
  • That’s despite the UAE revoking visas or residency permits for some Iranian expats during the conflict.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Early American corporate charters, after all, were granted for limited public purposes and could be revoked when abused.
    — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of revoke
Verb
  • The Greenwich Sentinel reported that at a recent forum, Democrat Jill Oberlander, candidate for the town’s 36th Senate District seat, said that the law should be amended or repealed, and stressed her support for community zoning authority.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Trades Council endorsed the campaign for repealing the law, according to Ballotpedia, while Schmidt spent heavily to defend it.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of repeal

Browse Nearby Words

scroungy
scrub
scrubbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scrub

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scrub

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of puissant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All