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
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Recent Examples of scum
The wastewater exits the home into the septic tank, where solids settle to the bottom of the tank to form a sludge layer, and the lighter waste forms a scum layer that floats at the top.
—
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
That practice left oily scum on beaches, along with various solids.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
And sometimes the best care is not bringing in a bunch of — as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar put it — a throbbing scum of fame-hungry desperados.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
Harmful algal blooms form scums at the water surface and produce toxins that can harm ecosystems, water quality and human health.
—Gregory J. Dick, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
That practice left oily scum on beaches, along with various solids.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
And sometimes the best care is not bringing in a bunch of — as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar put it — a throbbing scum of fame-hungry desperados.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
Harmful algal blooms form scums at the water surface and produce toxins that can harm ecosystems, water quality and human health.
—Gregory J. Dick, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scum
Noun
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There was little-to-no doubt Jurgen Klopp’s side were going to defeat Ralf Rangnick’s under-interim-management rabble that day.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement From start to finish, pure madness, amid a rabble that never calmed, never quieted, never quit.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Oct. 2024
Noun
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In the meantime, the seafood-heavy menu at The Shelbourne with dishes like red prawn ceviche or roasted grouper is a great option for dinner, while poolside dining offers more casual but delicious fare like conch fritters or a jerk smash burger.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
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Vendors sold spicy dishes traditional to their countries like Jamaican jerk chicken and tacos from Mexico and the not-so-spicy, like raclette, a dish traditional to Switzerland, where molten cheese from a wheel of raclette cheese is poured over potatoes and other foods.—
Dominick Williams
August 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Some people seem to assume that AI is far beyond our world, and not just computers, data, and algorithms -- see my analysis of how low AI-literacy impacts the populace, at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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If Democratic messaging caters to the populace more concerned with the first objective than the latter, Hernaiz suspects their appeal will continue to wane.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The sheriff threatens to arrest Morticia on account of aiding and abetting a murderer, but Gomez points out that these clowns (the cops) abandoned Nevermore to protect Normies at Pilgrim World.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
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While the film wasn't a hit with critics or audiences, Gaga nonetheless had some eye-popping looks on the press tour, sporting bold red hair and clown-like attire to evoke the comic chaos of her character.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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By contrast, Jeffrey goes out of his way to help the employees, breaking into Mitch’s computer to change their timesheets and stealing a trash bag full of goodies to donate to the toy drive at Leigh’s church.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
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The polyolefins Marks is referring to are what trash bags, plastic wrap, squeeze bottles, and other disposable single-use packaging are made of.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nationally, the most common dog breed is the Labrador retriever, but Arizona has a different favorite.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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This double-wide camp chair is quilted and comfortable, with durable 600D polyester fabric that holds up to weather, spills, and even a slobbery dog (or two) climbing aboard.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Somehow, this respectable foe of radicalism had organized the political realignment that broke up the Union, sustained the war that overthrew the South’s ruling class, and managed the struggle that emancipated its proletariat.—
Matthew Karp,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
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As is the case with the aesthetics of people, exquisite lines can be found on patrician and proletariat cars alike.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Around 75% of Americans are exposed to raccoons, skunks and foxes — the very wildlife that commonly spread the fatal disease to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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The skunk with distemper is stuck in the window well again, chewing incessantly on the garden hose that is coiled up in there.—
Miriam Toews
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scum. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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