1
as in filthy
not clean
after playing outside, the kids came in grungy and in need of a good bath
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
even though this grungy sweatshirt is falling apart, it's still my favorite
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grungy
But the Tarantino fetish becomes so pronounced in Russian writer-director Kirill Sokolov’s addition to the grungy revenge-thriller that every quick zoom and shock-cinema score cue starts to feel less like an adrenaline spike and more like a rib nudge.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
In a grungy space off Main Street, Liquid Diet’s mindbending cocktails evoke flavors of grocery store items like chocolate chip banana bread and bell peppers.
—Roger Kisby, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Black washes with grungy tints were part of Elena Velez’s range of jeans and asymmetrical skirts.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
But also because the grungy wash was new territory for Clooney.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grungy
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
In a grungy space off Main Street, Liquid Diet’s mindbending cocktails evoke flavors of grocery store items like chocolate chip banana bread and bell peppers.
—Roger Kisby, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Black washes with grungy tints were part of Elena Velez’s range of jeans and asymmetrical skirts.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
But also because the grungy wash was new territory for Clooney.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grungy
Adjective
-
Reach-in coolers that didn’t keep food safe from bacteria growth and utensils stored in filthy spots shut down a Miami restaurant after inspection last week.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Stanley dealers were not in cutthroat competition for filthy lucre.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Longtime Oak Lawn Village Board member Timothy Desmond has resigned from his post to enter into a contract with the village through his home building company to restore dilapidated properties, with the goal of putting them back on the tax rolls.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The newborn lived in a dank and dilapidated enclosure alongside seven other lions, including his parents, Kim and Carl, said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane World for Animals Canada, whose organization helped shut down the zoo and rescue the lions.—
Andrea Sachs,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For patients living with rare and neglected diseases, the next breakthrough treatment might already be sitting in a pharmaceutical company’s filing cabinet.—
Annette Bakker,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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When first performed at L.A. Opera a decade ago, the lavish production, co-produced with English National Opera, helped recover a neglected opera.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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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The drinks attract younger women, typically age 16 to 35, and are aimed at health-conscious customers that don’t want Swig’s more caloric and filling dirty sodas, CEO Alex Dunn said.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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That wasn’t the only utensil stored in a dirty place.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Gayle Wilson, who once worked as a blackjack dealer, enjoyed sewing and making stained glass, according to Lindley Funeral Homes.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
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Gently scrub the stained area with a soft bristle brush or clean soft cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The result leaves nearly every performer fumbling for traction in Serkis and Stoller’s muddy-yet-gutless cinematic sty.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
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Between damp docks, muddy trails, and the occasional drizzle, they were quickly soaked and scuffed.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grungy. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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