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
Relevance
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
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 scum
That’s what the scum bags, and there is no nicer way of describing them, behind the Hello Pervert sextortion campaign do.
—
Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
The Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Kit is the ultimate cleaning tool that’s made for removing scum, grime, and dirt from all the hard-to-reach areas of your home.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
The charges against Baraka were swiftly dropped, but prosecutors later brought charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), accusing her of assaulting law enforcement with her forearms during the scum.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Machine washable Shower curtain liners are prone to building up with soap scum and mildew if not cleaned regularly.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
The Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Kit is the ultimate cleaning tool that’s made for removing scum, grime, and dirt from all the hard-to-reach areas of your home.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
The charges against Baraka were swiftly dropped, but prosecutors later brought charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), accusing her of assaulting law enforcement with her forearms during the scum.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Machine washable Shower curtain liners are prone to building up with soap scum and mildew if not cleaned regularly.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scum
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
No, the worst Christopher Reeve Superman film is not the embarrassing Cannon Films installment but rather the one featuring a world-class comedian, a woman turning into a computer, and a terrific junkyard battle between Clark Kent and his belligerent jerk doppelganger.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
-
Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican serves oxtail (jerk or barbecue) with festival (a sweet, fried bread); sweet plantains; coconut shrimp skewers; and a ginger and hibiscus drink.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
But the deeper concern goes beyond ice crystals, to the notion that government agencies are trying to poison the populace or affect weather patterns through geoengineering.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 July 2025
-
And so, Frank and Dennis took to shaking down the populace after Frank sprang for two police uniforms, Dee beat the hell out of the unhoused masturbator, and Charlie seized upon his undercover Serpico cop role to attempt a series of stings on his fellow corrupt fake cops.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
-
White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Leftover Paint If there are half-empty cans of leftover paint sitting on your garage shelves, avoid throwing them in the trash.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
-
Infected debris should be disposed of in the trash, never added to the compost pile.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead.—
Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam,
Anchorage Daily News,
13 Sep. 2023
-
According to LifeLine, the DeKalb shelter takes in 135 dogs a week on average.—
Jim Gaines,
ajc,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Birds nest beneath Wright’s generous eaves, skunks burrow into foundations, and spiders spin webs on geometric architectural details.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Austin Wildlife Rescue has taken in over 120 animals since the weekend including baby squirrels, skunks and turtles.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scum. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share