as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
changed into an old flannel shirt and a scrubby pair of jeans to clean out the garage
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Recent Examples of scrubby
Nothing on the surface of this scrubby expanse of western Nevada desert, overlooked by towering, craggy mountains, gives even a hint of what lies beneath.
—
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
The forests will be scrubbier and more open.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
The forests will be scrubbier and more open.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scrubby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubby
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Scrubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubby. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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