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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scrubby
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
The rocky summit is partially protected by scrubby evergreens and a fire tower affords fantastic views of all of western Maine.
—Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2022
The rugged coasts are lined with scrubby grasses and smatterings of wildflowers, all the way up to the turquoise waters.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Nov. 2022
Mike Wood is a forager who can find edible plants in Utah at any time of the year, and in nearly any biome — in scrubby deserts and alpine meadows, or in urban neighborhoods, growing up through cracks in sidewalks or in unmowed street medians.
—Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 10 Feb. 2023
The rocky summit is partially protected by scrubby evergreens and a fire tower affords fantastic views of all of western Maine.
—Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2022
The rugged coasts are lined with scrubby grasses and smatterings of wildflowers, all the way up to the turquoise waters.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Nov. 2022
Mike Wood is a forager who can find edible plants in Utah at any time of the year, and in nearly any biome — in scrubby deserts and alpine meadows, or in urban neighborhoods, growing up through cracks in sidewalks or in unmowed street medians.
—Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubby
Adjective
-
The demolition of the former dilapidated Northridge Mall, which began last year, is finished.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The restaurant is the joint labor of love for couple Wessie and Tradd Newton, who have stewarded the location from a dilapidated structure into a local institution.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Same premise as the exterior, but even more important: Don’t buy a car with a neglected interior.—
Jimmy Camp,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Close the Loop Following through on commitments is the simplest and yet shockingly most neglected way to earn long-term trust.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubby. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share