1
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
shabby wallpaper that was peeling from the walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Once night falls, creepy disturbances echo through the shabby apartment, bringing to light the group's deepest fears, from aging to betrayal.
—
Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
That’s not too shabby given the four-year break between albums.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025
Center of operations for the carrom players shifted to Yazid’s shabby room, formerly a storeroom, looking onto a gully.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
That's not too shabby for cheap hosting.
—PC Magazine, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
That’s not too shabby given the four-year break between albums.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025
Center of operations for the carrom players shifted to Yazid’s shabby room, formerly a storeroom, looking onto a gully.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
That's not too shabby for cheap hosting.
—PC Magazine, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shabby
Adjective
-
In this way, abandoned and often dilapidated homes are saved and renovated rather than being left to further deteriorate or be torn down.—
Eric Adler
December 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Dec. 2025
-
To find her, Luis becomes embedded with an outlaw band of ravers, who cross the Moroccan desert in huge, dilapidated trucks.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Nearly every panel of the shoe is tattered and torn, including a heel seam that’s coming undone and reveals the inner cork components of the shoe.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
-
By the end of the summer my catalogs were tattered and worn.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The narrative highlights the growing, unseen populations of lonely and neglected individuals, shedding light on a vital but often ignored aspect of public care.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Over six years, Papp and Archie fostered 120 dogs and cats, and the owner said Archie was a major reason some of the most neglected and frightened animals went on to live full and happy lives.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
My breath is nervous and ragged but my will determined.—
Vanita Salisbury,
AFAR Media,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The result is a ragged primal scream of a film — not a cry for help, but rather, a bellow of maternal rage.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Characterized by their faded or worn-out effect, as if their original color had been lightened by washing, these beloved jeans stand out for their vintage and carefree air.—
Mayte Salido,
Glamour,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The styling trick works even with an outfit that leans as grunge as this, with ballooning black cargo pants, a muted flannel, and a faded black tee.—
Alyssa Rotunno,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shabby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shabby. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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