Synonyms of scruffy

scruffy

adjective

ˈskrə-fē 

as in dilapidated

showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect

dressed in scruffy old clothes to clean out the garage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dilapidated
• neglected
• mangy
• shabby
• tatty
• tattered
• dumpy
• grungy
• scrubby
• ragged
• miserable
• desolate
• tired
• seedy
• ratty
• tumbledown
• abandoned
• tacky
• down-at-the-heels
• threadbare
• sleazy
• gone to seed
• timeworn
• beat-up
• run-down
• dog-eared
• broken
• ruined
• bombed-out
• moth-eaten
• tatterdemalion
• unkept
• mean
• damaged
• dingy
• decrepit
• forlorn
• bedraggled
• ramshackle
• wrecked
• deteriorated
• rickety
• destroyed
• decaying
• broken-down
• deteriorating
• godforsaken
• worn-out
• injured
• rackety
• hurt
• impaired
• harmed
• rattletrap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• new
• fresh
• brand-new
• maintained
• kept-up
• reconstructed
• spiffy
• patched
• mended
• smart
• rebuilt
• cared-for
• spruce

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scruffy

The True Blood actor was shown head-to-toe covered in wicker material, with a scruffy beard and hair. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 July 2026

Phillies fans still love their collection of scruffy galoots. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 15 July 2026

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or Middle Eastern man, about 35 years old, approximately 5-foot-8 with a thin build, shaved head, brown eyes and scruffy facial hair. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

The special bond between Supergirl and her scruffy animal sidekick becomes a key plot point in Kara’s new solo movie, where Krypto is poisoned by space outlaw Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026