1
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
shabby wallpaper that was peeling from the walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
shabby, stained clothes that are barely better than rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shabby
Even Britain’s right-wing newspapers were outraged by Trump’s shabby treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, while Reform’s existing voters are already outliers in their sharply anti-immigration views.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
Right down the street the Four Seasons San Domenico is not too shabby either with divine view.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
While there was plenty of crime to be found in the city’s most polished neighborhoods, Marlowe’s shabby Hollywood office was the home to honesty and integrity.
—Rafaela Bassili, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Despite the French undertones, this vintage reproduction of, yes, a water fountain, works for a variety of garden aesthetics, including cottage, farmhouse, English, or shabby chic.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
Right down the street the Four Seasons San Domenico is not too shabby either with divine view.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
While there was plenty of crime to be found in the city’s most polished neighborhoods, Marlowe’s shabby Hollywood office was the home to honesty and integrity.
—Rafaela Bassili, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Despite the French undertones, this vintage reproduction of, yes, a water fountain, works for a variety of garden aesthetics, including cottage, farmhouse, English, or shabby chic.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shabby
Adjective
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The South Lodge, at the base of the Quail chair, burned down in 2016 and in its place sits a row of dilapidated structures and storage sheds.—
Megan Michelson,
Outside Online,
4 Apr. 2025
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When no firm alternatives emerged, and with the site growing mildewed and dilapidated, the original construction resumed.—
By Charlie Campbell/Gelephu, Bhutan,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The bottom half of the dog's body stayed pinned underneath a tattered couch on a pile of trash as flies circled him.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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The other traditional party, the Liberal Party, has splintered between those who remain loyal to Zelaya and those who led the coup, including Mauricio Villeda, the presidential candidate who leads a tattered vestige of his party.—
Dana Frank,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Nov. 2013
Adjective
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But the area where these cuts will be felt most acutely is with respect to elder abuse, which is already a neglected area of health care and social services.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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By upcycling a neglected garment, Hirsch hopes to give someone the chance to experience the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into creating a piece.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Cocker was famous for his ragged, one-of-a-kind covers of other acts’ famous songs, with Joel comparing the late singer to such legendary song interpreters as Frank Sinatra.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 Apr. 2025
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Grand Canyon didn’t do enough to punish Maryland for its ragged start.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Offering a 23% concentration of pure vitamin C, this formula delivers some serious brightening benefits, resulting in a more even-looking complexion and faded hyperpigmentation.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
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Everything below that will be flooded, according to IPCC predictions, so his maps show those areas as underwater, with what’s land today shown as a faded layer.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shabby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shabby. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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