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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But these Brown and Black immigrants were usually segregated into dilapidated apartments in the region’s oldest housing stock.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
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The guy handed Gary some cash and Stewart disappeared into a dilapidated trailer.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When first performed at L.A. Opera a decade ago, the lavish production, co-produced with English National Opera, helped recover a neglected opera.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Scrubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubby. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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