1
as in masses
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
claimed that only scum lived in that part of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
ignore the heckler—he's complete scum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of scum
Hard water stains, soap scum, and everyday grime can accumulate quickly, making even the cleanest bathroom feel less fresh.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Too much detergent, though, can cause a buildup of soap scum, leading to an ineffective rinse cycle.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
In my opinion, the Leeds scum should be, Shovelling s*** on the Isle of Capri.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Place the turkey carcass, water, sachet, ginger and onion in a large pot over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and skim off the scum.
—Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Too much detergent, though, can cause a buildup of soap scum, leading to an ineffective rinse cycle.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
In my opinion, the Leeds scum should be, Shovelling s*** on the Isle of Capri.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Place the turkey carcass, water, sachet, ginger and onion in a large pot over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and skim off the scum.
—Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scum
Noun
-
There’s something quite magical, really, about millions of bits of colorful paper flying like snow through the air over a raucous rabble.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Yeoh and Erivo shield Grande from the subsequent rabble before the cast resumes their walk down the yellow carpet and Wen is dragged away by security.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For those with less-briny palates, a fine jerk chicken and a number of steak cuts are also available.—
Jesse Ashlock,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Mike’s older sister, Nancy (Natalia Dyer), is our entry point to Hawkins High; a pretty striver, she’s recently been distracted from academics by a fling with popular jerk Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After the war, many Iranians hoped things would change and that the government would leverage the nationalistic rally around the flag to introduce a more tenable social contract with the populace.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The arrest of Maduro, while a monumental relief for the long-oppressed and abused Venezuelan populace, was incidental.—
Anthony Dominguez,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Brewer depicts the world of music impersonators with a fair amount of affection, like the rodeo clowns of late 20th-century America.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Cirque du Soleil is known for its shows featuring acrobats, athletes and clowns – all doing spectacular feats.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kirkland Signature is Costco's private label brand which offers a variety of products, including groceries, health and beauty products, clothing, and household items, such as trash bags and cleaning supplies.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Two passengers in the trash truck – identified as 22-year-old Juan Cormachi and 35-year-old Fausto Flores – were injured during the crash and taken to a shock trauma center.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And, the dog attacked again after the owner failed to secure the dog in a separate room.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Another 24 dogs were found emaciated inside, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Severin, on the other hand, represents the revolutionary proletariat.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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Lower than proletariat workers, the lumpenproletariat includes the indigent and the unemployable, those cast out of the workforce with no recourse, or those who can’t enter it in the first place, such as young workers in times of economic depression.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.—
Nicola Twilley,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scum. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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