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
Nothing on the surface of this scrubby expanse of western Nevada desert, overlooked by towering, craggy mountains, gives even a hint of what lies beneath.
—
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubby
Adjective
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Such as dilapidated neighborhoods, toxic air, unkept public parks, failing infrastructure, unreliable public transportation and low wages.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Through the window that day, Smith-Dean saw a potential gold mine for the community, where many who passed by on Spring Avenue saw only a dilapidated structure.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His refusal to weaponize suffering is one of his most important — and most neglected— lessons.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Scrubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubby. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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