Synonyms of scurvy

scurvy

adjective

as in lame

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust

after winning the lottery, she was beset by a whole scurvy swarm of con artists, ne'er-do-wells, and hangers-on

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lame
• pitiful
• wretched
• cheap
• nasty
• dirty
• mean
• disgusting
• hateful
• scabby
• deplorable
• sorry
• contemptible
• vile
• despicable
• sneaking
• pitiable
• lousy
• grubby
• ratty
• paltry
• loathsome
• abominable
• detestable
• revolting
• scummy
• odious
• cruddy
• disgraceful
• abhorrent
• discreditable
• shameful
• repulsive
• disreputable
• ignominious
• repugnant
• execrable
• dishonorable
• ignoble
• reptilian
• sordid
• craven
• shabby
• squalid
• unscrupulous
• condemnable
• dastardly
• revulsive
• unprincipled
• base
• cowardly
• reprehensible
• low
• unethical
• censurable
• blamable
• reproachable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• meritorious
• creditable
• laudable
• praiseworthy
• commendable
• noble
• honorable
• redoubtable
• scrupulous
• honest
• principled
• good
• reputable
• moral
• upright
• right
• righteous
• virtuous
• ethical
• high-minded
• right-minded

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

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