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
  • As lame as the fact that an Erewhon smoothie costs $19 is that so many of us need to be paid to be nice to each other.
    Swan Huntley, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
  • Santana tried to jump off the steps to clothesline Maclin but came up a bit lame.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Trump has made a pitiful shambles of what should have been a glorious moment.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
  • With his country flailing in their pitiful attempts to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, at the age of 33, Zidane underwent his change of heart.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • But tensions escalated over Memorial Day weekend as hundreds of detainees went on a hunger strike to protest spoiled food and wretched conditions, some of their lawyers said.
    David Williams, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
  • Even with the Tigers’ grisly combination of injury misfortune and wretched play, their season is not yet over.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • Strained by tighter budgets and product price increases, more shoppers are willing to ditch their favorite brand for a cheaper alternative, a new study finds.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • The simpler, cheaper, more snow-friendly autonomous driving hardware is welcome, too.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Flu season may be mostly behind us, but a nasty, highly contagious stomach bug is rising.
    NBC news, NBC news, 29 May 2026
  • Rhaenyra is suddenly dealing with internal criticism, possible rebellions, subjects spray-painting nasty stuff on the walls and self-doubt.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • My father was running the skid steer outside, clearing the snow, leaving dirty white mounds to either side of the driveway that led from the house out to the range road.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Workers have told us that even wiping sweat from their face can be criticized because supervisors worry about the garment getting dirty.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • The gaggle of former mean girls who have grown into mean women is in the midst of discussing Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, a choice that initially seems like a clever little Easter Egg.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 June 2026
  • MacKinnon trusts him, which is no mean feat.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • The president announced the work in April during an unrelated Oval Office appearance, saying he was inspired by complaints from a friend visiting from Germany who called the pool dark and disgusting.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
  • Seeing a game get shipped off to a foreign land for no good reason is even more disgusting.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scurvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurvy. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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