as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
changed into an old flannel shirt and a scrubby pair of jeans to clean out the garage
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Recent Examples of scrubby
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.
—
Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
The forests will be scrubbier and more open.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2023
Stick to the gentler blue scour pads, the scrubby side of your sponge, or a Scrub Daddy/Mommy.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 10 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
The forests will be scrubbier and more open.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2023
Stick to the gentler blue scour pads, the scrubby side of your sponge, or a Scrub Daddy/Mommy.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 10 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubby
Adjective
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Reviving Venezuela’s oil industry would deepen environmental damage in a country already plagued by spills, gas leaks and dilapidated infrastructure, with higher output expected to boost climate emissions and increase spill risks in fragile ecosystems, several experts warned.—
Steven Grattan,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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In this way, abandoned and often dilapidated homes are saved and renovated rather than being left to further deteriorate or be torn down.—
Eric Adler
December 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The department issued heavy fines and ultimately shuttered a neglected building in Denver’s uptown neighborhood last year that was owned by CBZ Management.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
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The narrative highlights the growing, unseen populations of lonely and neglected individuals, shedding light on a vital but often ignored aspect of public care.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubby. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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