scurvy

Definition of scurvynext

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 Perhaps best known as a immune-system boost or antidote to scurvy, vitamin C has been found to rejuvenate aging skin by reactivating genes responsible for cell growth. New Atlas, 6 July 2025 The latest research indicates that the men split into groups sometime after April 1848, with some parties surviving longer than others but all ultimately dying of starvation, scurvy, exposure, physical exhaustion and chronic illnesses, among other causes. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025 William and his assistants were nonetheless able to build solid pillars of data, mass death broken down into discrete numerals to represent sexes, ages, locations, seasons, years, and causes of mortality, which included starvation, scurvy, dysentery, cholera, typhus, and relapsing fever. Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 In the Age of Sail, mercury was used on ships to treat fever, scurvy, constipation, and more, often in the form of calomel, or mercurous chloride. Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for scurvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurvy
Adjective
  • By the way, getting excited about a schedule release even on the face of it, without all the pomp and circumstance of social media managers sniffing their own farts, is lame.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • This idea that just sitting with your face buried in your phone when you’re supposed to be in a social setting—that’s lame, right?
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Chilling moments like this are the lifeblood of The Dreamed Adventure, the moments that recall the pitiful last days of the dying communist era and the violent, mafia-style economics that whooshed in to replace them.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2026
  • There’s a mentality problem — that’s highlighted by a pitiful return of just one point out of a possible 24 away from home this season against teams in the top nine.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The wretched conditions prompt a brainy clerk (Eiza González, who expounds impressively on the heady Marxist concept of dialectical materialism) to join the Velvet Gang.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
  • But the group of players who have taken the club to this humiliating end to a wretched season will not have to face Molineux again.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Take the quiz here … SHELL GAME — America's cheapest popcorn shrimp basket at a chain restaurant costs under $9.
    , FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
  • Sweeney says beginners should start with a trusty can of spray paint, an orbital sander and some cheap hardware.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Those forests were previously home to bats, a natural reservoir for all kinds of nasty viruses.
    Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026
  • Still, his vice president’s now president, and his very, very nasty minister of justice is, some say, the power behind the throne.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • How To Properly Load A Dishwasher To properly load a dishwasher for maximum cleaning power, place dishes in the dishwasher with the dirty side facing the jets, with taller items around the outside.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Use the packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes for the duration of your cruise.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Even with Odd Mom Out, it never was mean.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
  • The investor noted that dispersion in semiconductor stocks should force some mean reversion.
    Liz Napolitano,Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Both are also, objectively speaking, disgusting.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
  • What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scurvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurvy. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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