scurvy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word scurvy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of scurvy are contemptible, despicable, pitiable, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When might contemptible be a better fit than scurvy?

The synonyms contemptible and scurvy are sometimes interchangeable, but contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When can despicable be used instead of scurvy?

The words despicable and scurvy can be used in similar contexts, but despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

When would pitiable be a good substitute for scurvy?

The words pitiable and scurvy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

When could sorry be used to replace scurvy?

In some situations, the words sorry and scurvy are roughly equivalent. However, sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

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 scurvy However, the good news is that scurvy is easy to combat and symptoms can be alleviated in as little as 24 hours. New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024 Pink even filmed a music video for the track, in which she is dressed as a pirate while singing about scurvy complications. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023 Along with violent seasickness, passengers suffered from fever, dysentery, boils, scurvy, mouth rot, rat bites, and lice so copious that they could be scraped off the body. Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023 The squadron immediately ran into trouble when typhus and then scurvy, a grotesque disease of Vitamin C deficiency, struck down the majority of the crew. Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for scurvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurvy
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • But the rates were pitiful: $9.87 for a 13-mile trip, $19.97 for a 25-mile trip and so on.
    Eli Tan, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • Israel’s performance in climate mitigation, moving to renewable energies, is pitiful — just 12% when some countries are 70%.
    JTA Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Roaches and a wretched food truck inspection lowlight this week’s list of South Florida restaurants shut down by state inspection.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
  • Twain’s wife, Olivia Langdon, bore him four children, only one of whom escaped a wretched end.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tesla troubles: Amid tough year, Tesla releases a new, cheaper version of the Model Y Is the 2025 Tesla Model Y a good SUV to get?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Residents near her office at Alhambra Boulevard and Q Street compete to get cheaper parking that doesn’t charge at an hourly rate.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Coal plants are also the dirtiest fossil fuel in terms of planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • They were bullied, beaten, humiliated, tortured and shot, with productive laborers crammed on top of one another in the dirty stone barracks—separately from the Jewish prisoners, whose numbers grew ever larger.
    Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • By 2021, the mean age of France’s 56 reactors was 36.1 years.
    Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Right after, Order 66 kicks off with Anakin (now Darth Vader) murdering Jocasta Nu (the mean Jedi library lady) in cold blood.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Police call fake GoFundMe page 'disgusting' Concord Police Capt. Brian Goldman said police are investigating.
    Norman Miller, USA Today, 7 May 2025
  • But where was the anger from Erik Spoelstra in his post-game news conference about this disgusting performance?
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scurvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurvy. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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