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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shabby
That's not too shabby, considering that battery is feeding a 750-watt rear hub motor.
—
Joe Salas
april 07, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2026
If Serena van der Woodsen had to end up with someone other than Dan Humphrey, Ryan Reynolds isn't too shabby a choice.
—Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
However, the economy adding 68,000 jobs per month isn’t too shabby by some estimates.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Brassicas, such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, are often plagued by pests that bore holes in leaves and leave harvests looking shabby.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Joe Salas
april 07, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2026
If Serena van der Woodsen had to end up with someone other than Dan Humphrey, Ryan Reynolds isn't too shabby a choice.
—Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
However, the economy adding 68,000 jobs per month isn’t too shabby by some estimates.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Brassicas, such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, are often plagued by pests that bore holes in leaves and leave harvests looking shabby.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shabby
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 Chicago, the shocking crimes are noteworthy contributors to its tattered national reputation — fair or not — for being unsafe and for criminal-justice policies perceived as being concerned more with the rights of those accused than the interests of those victimized.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Untrained soldiers were shoeless and wore tattered clothes.—
Amanda Rosa
Updated April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 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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If the edges look ragged with tan or white tips, your mower blade is at fault.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
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So, the books around it sparkle on the shelf, and this book alone is old and ragged.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Jenner opted to wear a pair of faded yellow jeans, a Guizio white tank top and a belly chain.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shabby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shabby. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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