SCUMMY Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

scummy

adjective

Definition of scummy

as in dirty

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust the jury was disgusted by the scummy behavior of the defendant in the courtroom

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 scummy The Hapsburg Inspector General, the equivalent of the food inspector darkening the doorway of a scummy restaurant? — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Clean outdoor water features with vinegar or other fungus-fighting ingredients to help prevent water from getting scummy. — The Spruce, 2 July 2026 Dane DeHaan excels as Cole, a scummy hacker who makes a living draining bank accounts. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 June 2026 The wild sci-fi elements, such as scummy aliens and wacky monsters, will likely remind audiences of a Marvel effort, namely Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026 Does that kind of discourse-friendly success override the fact that Euphoria is too young, too scummy, and too dumb to fit into the usual Emmy pattern? — Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026 Clean Glass Shower Doors Melt about half a cup of coconut oil and mix in a few drops of lemon juice to create a solution that will go to work on scummy glass shower doors and walls. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scummy

Adjective

As Coca-Cola works to automate dirty soda and refreshers, CNBC's Amelia Lucas takes readers inside the secretive labs where the soda maker is planning its next wave of innovation.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
When younger brother Naz arrives with an unexpected guest in tow, tensions simmer, eventually boiling over into violence as the family’s dirty secrets are revealed.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

Brands like Slate and Ford are betting cheaper, smaller electric trucks can attract buyers priced out of larger pickups.

— Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Beyond removing the psychological and practical barrier of injections, oral formulations are not reliant on syringes or refrigeration and are cheaper to manufacture.

— Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

The former Cardinal is an absolute brawler with over 90 NFL starts who brings the exact nasty, tone-setting violence this interior unit needs.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Disney World has unveiled new, delightfully dark details for two rides heading to its perfectly wretched Villains Land area set to open at the Magic Kingdom park.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026
Hashimi’s tale of unflagging effort amid wretched inequality astounds.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

Grabs a ketchup bottle and garnishes his face, before squirting mustard into his hateful, piggish eyes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Doukoure characterized Tuesday's rhetoric as hateful but said CAIR and members of the Muslim community have become accustomed to being targeted because of their advocacy.

— Gino Vicci, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of hateful

Browse Nearby Words

scumbags

scummy

scums

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scummy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scummy. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scummy

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes