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

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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 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
  • Aggression is the norm A common misconception is that aggression needs to be physical before it’s considered abusive, but that’s not always the case.
    — Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026
  • The union did not give specific examples of abusive incidents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • Watch crafty servant Scapin spin outrageous webs of disguise and deception to help a band of young lovers outwit their impossibly miserly fathers.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • In addition, their style of play makes broad use of their outrageous attacking options, virtually guaranteeing a supply of chances for a player who can score almost any type of goal from anywhere in the attacking third.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • Jackson then allegedly drove over into another lane and swerved at the victim, while using an obscene hand gesture.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • The obscene pay of CEOs, growing 20 times as fast as workers’ pay last year, and the obscene wealth in the tech world, with money cascading into the hands of greedy billionaires who lack empathy or even noblesse oblige.
    — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scurrilous

Nglish: Translation of scurrilous for Spanish Speakers

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