as in dusty
severely lacking in cleanliness
My friend thinks that scuzzy dive bar has "character," but the smell alone is enough to keep me far away from that place.
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Recent Examples of scuzzy
Back in New York, following Marty’s unimaginable defeat in London, Abel Ferrara appears as a scuzzy street-level gangster who entrusts Marty and his taxi-driving best friend Wally (Tyler Okonma) with his near feral dog.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
Knight convincingly takes us back to the grimy, scuzzy streets of 1880s East London for a showdown in and out of the boxing ring.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Gorgeously textured and frequently very funny—Griffin’s wisecracking younger brother, Oren, is a scene-stealer—the book’s particular portrait of late-20th-century, upper-middle-class adolescence takes a generously wide angle, reveling in all the heady, scuzzy, confusing bits of coming of age.
—Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
The safety curtain that greets audiences filing in for the third Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross depicts a set of steak knives, the infamous second prize in a contest for the highest sales figures among colleagues at a scuzzy Chicago real estate office.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for scuzzy
Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025
Knight convincingly takes us back to the grimy, scuzzy streets of 1880s East London for a showdown in and out of the boxing ring.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Gorgeously textured and frequently very funny—Griffin’s wisecracking younger brother, Oren, is a scene-stealer—the book’s particular portrait of late-20th-century, upper-middle-class adolescence takes a generously wide angle, reveling in all the heady, scuzzy, confusing bits of coming of age.
—Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
The safety curtain that greets audiences filing in for the third Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross depicts a set of steak knives, the infamous second prize in a contest for the highest sales figures among colleagues at a scuzzy Chicago real estate office.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for scuzzy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuzzy
Adjective
-
Looking for a heritage bolt of fabric without having to comb through the dusty shelves of an antiques store?—
Alyssa Longobucco,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2026
-
On the dusty backroads of Radiator Springs, where Lightning McQueen and his pals live, a shower of meteors threatened to bring destruction upon the quarter-size cars in a scene that disaster movie king Roland Emmerich would endorse.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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But, the freedom loving sane people of this great country came to Karoline's defense to show support, destroy the filthy LIBS and celebrate the greatest press secretary this country has ever employed.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
Fans fought in the streets, heaved bottles, smashed windows and shouted filthy insults in the melee, which left nearly 50 people injured.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Drake gets greasy over Tay Keith’s crisp, hard-hitting drum patterns.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
20 June 2026
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The lightweight formula is infused with fermented saururus, kukui oil, cacay oil, and squalane to soften, soothe, and deeply hydrate without leaving behind a greasy feel.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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For the dinner, which doubled as a celebration of his sixth consecutive return to the Wimbledon tournament, as well as the campaign launch, the Italian tennis player opted for a more casual look in black.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
-
She was last seen wearing an orange/brown sweater and gray sweatpants and carrying a pink/black duffle bag.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Adjective
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Those who have sustained a severe burn or dirty wound should follow up with a booster after five years, according to the CDC.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
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Down Pennsylvania Avenue, a man in a karate gi, disposable gloves, and dirty white sneakers was hauling a cart by means of a homemade yoke strapped across his shoulders.—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
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In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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Jason Maddy disappears into multiple roles including the sleazy diner owner, the jolly Napa depot manager who pre-reads everyone’s mail and the wise doctor who treats Tony after a car accident.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
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Ian Fleming, who set some of From Russia with Love's most memorable scenes in this area, delighted in its 'sleazy romance'.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
His golf wasn’t too shabby, either.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Not too shabby for a modern electric vehicle (EV).—
Utkarsh Sood
June 19,
New Atlas,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuzzy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuzzy. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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