1
as in washed
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2
as in scraped
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Dissimilar Words
as in canceled
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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Recent Examples of scrubbed
Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 25 May 2024
There were no young girls floating by in elegant dresses, no scrubbed and spoiled children dressed in their finery and dragged toward churches and pagodas, no whisper of music drifting out of windows.
—Chantha Nguon, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024
The New England town of Fairwood is a seemingly scrubbed, pleasant, prosperous hamlet.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024
Scrubs, which take their name from the fact they are worn in a scrubbed environment, according to a history of operating room attire from the American College of Surgeons, were first mentioned by a surgeon in 1894.
—New York Times, 9 June 2021
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
If the launch is delayed or scrubbed for any reason, there are more opportunities for liftoff through April 6.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
If the mission is scrubbed during the initial two-hour window, additional launch opportunities will continue through April 6.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Mentions of that service were scrubbed from his Instagram page as of Friday, but remained on other accounts.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The county scrubbed his name from a webpage promoting labor-rights events.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
The launch, originally scheduled for the 12th, had already been scrubbed once, undone by a hydraulic glitch.
—Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
But ground teams detected the helium leak in Starliner's service module in the aftermath of the scrubbed countdown.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 25 May 2024
There were no young girls floating by in elegant dresses, no scrubbed and spoiled children dressed in their finery and dragged toward churches and pagodas, no whisper of music drifting out of windows.
—Chantha Nguon, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024
The New England town of Fairwood is a seemingly scrubbed, pleasant, prosperous hamlet.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024
Scrubs, which take their name from the fact they are worn in a scrubbed environment, according to a history of operating room attire from the American College of Surgeons, were first mentioned by a surgeon in 1894.
—New York Times, 9 June 2021
Verb
Was scrubbed from Friday because of bad weather in the launch recovery zone in the Atlantic.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
If the launch is delayed or scrubbed for any reason, there are more opportunities for liftoff through April 6.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
If the mission is scrubbed during the initial two-hour window, additional launch opportunities will continue through April 6.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Mentions of that service were scrubbed from his Instagram page as of Friday, but remained on other accounts.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The county scrubbed his name from a webpage promoting labor-rights events.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
The launch, originally scheduled for the 12th, had already been scrubbed once, undone by a hydraulic glitch.
—Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubbed
Adjective
-
As far as the yellow bed sheets go, this feels like the truest butter yellow—still pastel but not white-washed.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Better Homes & Gardens Paisley Medallion Cotton Quilt To keep you cool throughout the warmer seasons, the BHG x Walmart quilt is made from 100% cotton with a pre-washed and pre-shrunk cotton fill for maximum softness, comfort, and breathability.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But those shootarounds can be canceled for any number of reasons, including if the game is the second in consecutive nights, or if the team is in the middle of a tough stretch of travel or practiced the day before.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
After the coronavirus pandemic canceled Coachella in 2020 and 2021, fans were excited to be back at the polo grounds in 2022.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nicholas Hoult beams with his bleached hair and Prada button-up courtside at the Lakers versus Cleveland Cavaliers game in Los Angeles on March 31.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Other projects have or would have endangered the bleached sandhill skipper butterfly, the sage-grouse, and steamboat buckwheat.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Recalling the English folk motif of the tree as possessing healing powers, a clump of soil dug up from an orchard in Lothlórien is used to replenish the scoured Shire.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But later that month, after several employees talked about quitting, the plan was abandoned.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
On Israel, which fringes on both the Left and the Right have increasingly abandoned, Gallego questioned those who want to defund defensive support to the Middle Eastern nation.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fill the crack in the door with the epoxy wood filler, spreading a small bit of the paste over the sanded area to help close and bond the edges of the crack together.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for the visit to be scrapped.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
6 Apr. 2026
-
When money is guaranteed for injury, he is entitled to that money if his contract is scrapped as a result of a physical issue sustained while performing contractual services.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rub a small amount of oil, like mayonnaise or vegetable oil, on the whitened area; natural oils should suffice.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrubbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubbed. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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