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

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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

About 15 feet away, there was an oversized rolling laundry bin where players would walk around reporters to drop off their dirty clothes.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
In them, again and again, peering over the shoulders of the dirty loft buildings and overscale Cadillac Eldorados, the twin towers of the World Trade Center appear.

— Baldwin Lee, Curbed, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

Respondents questioned Dave Aranda’s roster construction, the program’s lack of identity and why everybody is pretending this isn’t a lame-duck season.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Post-election powers Keisha Lance Bottoms has a message for Republicans who might be tempted to limit her powers in a lame-duck special session if the Democrat wins the race for governor in November.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

But that does not mean residents will suddenly see a cheaper water bill.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
His latest book, Three Tenses, a well as his Pulitzer Prize finalist Same Bed Different Dreams, are complex without resorting to gimmicks or cheap obfuscation that implies depth.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 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

And then on Sunday, next to Granada’s imposing Alhambra fortress, Kuss — providing there are no nasty surprises — will complete his third Grand Tour in a row.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
In his nasty hands, every canvas was an indictment, a history painting with its gloves off.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

The traditional fatal flaws of Burrow injuries and wretched defenses have real solutions with the defensive line depth and Joe Flacco in place to keep the team on track.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Those who care deeply about one aspect of something or another often take charge of their memory, not necessarily reflecting the wretched, real-time ambivalence of the original experience.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams and Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud have also spoken about receiving hateful messages.

— Mike Wilson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Yiannopoulos’ acerbic and at times hateful speech attracted the fury of students who argued his views should not be platformed.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of hateful

Browse Nearby Words

scumbags

scummy

scums

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“Scummy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scummy. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scummy

adjective

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