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, 22 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
Yet the 7th Circuit took the extraordinary step of swooping in anyway, treating constraints on DHS — which has only become more violent in the months since Ellis’ order — as a lurking constitutional problem that had to be scrubbed from the books lest plaintiffs seek similar relief in the future.
—Seth Stern, Chicago Tribune, 12 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, 22 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
Yet the 7th Circuit took the extraordinary step of swooping in anyway, treating constraints on DHS — which has only become more violent in the months since Ellis’ order — as a lurking constitutional problem that had to be scrubbed from the books lest plaintiffs seek similar relief in the future.
—Seth Stern, Chicago Tribune, 12 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
-
The money won’t address recent roof leaks, either, which canceled multiple events this year.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The 2020 edition was canceled at short notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His style of play — muscular, bustling, old-school — stands in stark opposition to his bleached hair.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Center creases were prominent in Todd Snyder’s assortment of bleached and dark wash jeans.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Feb. 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
-
Most carriers, especially in the United States, have abandoned this risk-management practice.—
ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The secretary has abandoned yet another guardrail by effectively including God in his anti-Iranian war chest.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 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
-
Why the Rooney Rule is being debated The Rooney Rule is again under scrutiny after Florida Republican attorney general James Uthmeier sent NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a letter earlier this month calling for the policy to be scrapped.—
Mac Engel
March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Playing against a team that is loaded with NBA draft prospects, the Boilermakers scrapped for rebounds, dived for loose balls and did all the little things to make up for the talent gap.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 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 30 Mar. 2026.
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