scurrilous

adjective

ˈskər-ə-ləs How to pronounce scurrilous (audio)
Definition of scurrilousnext
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 scurrilous And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 In the Hulu version of the story, Clarke plays Alex, a middle-aged lawyer stealing money from his clients and funneling it into an opioid addiction and, the series implies, other scurrilous crimes. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban. — John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025 The good people of Lancaster County were innocent of the charges thrown at them by raving Southerners and scurrilous Democrats. — Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scurrilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurrilous
  1. abusive
  2. outrageous
  3. insulting
  4. obscene
  5. vituperative
Adjective
  • Jordan grew up in an abusive environment, Morris said, and left in his earlier teen years.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Edison mentions an abusive boyfriend of Leonora’s, and there is one scene, set at a public park, where some of Arlo’s suppressed trauma flares violently into the open.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • These scenes are not the only ones that ring true, however, as Kato and Kyose successfully carry the plot through outrageous coincidence and into three-hanky tearjerking.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That Presidential-immunity decision is an outrageous departure from American jurisprudence.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • His short, curt answers, or nonanswers are comedy for some, arrogant or insulting to others, especially when fans want an explanation for one of his decisions.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But to propose trading him for anything short of a fourth-round pick is insulting.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • Those images are said to include an adult man identified by witnesses as Markle with a nude prepubescent girl among other obscene materials.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Facing a Carolina defense that fired its coordinator, the Broncos need to secure an early lead — not a crazy idea given that Sean Payton dispatches NFC South opponents with an impersonal contempt that’s almost obscene — and let the defense eat.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative

Browse Nearby Words

scurrility
scurrilous
scurrilousness
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Cite this Entry

“Scurrilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurrilous. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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