1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversial
given to arguing
a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scrappy
Harrison is perfect casting, a scrappy surfer girl with more moxie than 10 guys on boards.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 May 2025
The rooms were basic, and the few guests were scrappy club kids taking a break from Ibiza to work on their tans.
—Julia Chaplin, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
If the Celtics survive this series and move to an Eastern Conference finals rematch against the Indiana Pacers, that’s when they can be viewed as scrappy underdogs, whatever the actual betting odds.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Of course, a successful Shot in the Dark play certainly helped, but Mary was scrappy.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 May 2025
The rooms were basic, and the few guests were scrappy club kids taking a break from Ibiza to work on their tans.
—Julia Chaplin, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
If the Celtics survive this series and move to an Eastern Conference finals rematch against the Indiana Pacers, that’s when they can be viewed as scrappy underdogs, whatever the actual betting odds.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Of course, a successful Shot in the Dark play certainly helped, but Mary was scrappy.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy
Adjective
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Addressing the Obvious Critiques Yes, 3–4% real growth is aggressive.—
Don Muir,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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After the aggressive animal showed no signs of leaving, the woman’s boyfriend fatally shot it, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The tariffs have been controversial from the start, and have generated competing narratives.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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His ascension was controversial, with some federal lawmakers questioning the legitimacy of his claims to the presidency.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The ceasefire plan, which has been approved by Israeli officials, won a cool initial reaction Thursday from the militant group, but President Donald Trump said Friday that negotiators were nearing a deal.—
ABDEL KAREEM HANA,
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2025
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In December, after years of stalemate in the war, Assad’s long-standing authoritarian regime collapsed, in the face of an unexpected offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist militant group once affiliated with al-Qaida.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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In that same post, Swift highlighted her contentious history with Braun, largely via his work with her longtime foe, Kanye West.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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This public WiFi hijacking threat is almost as contentious as juice-jacking amongst cyber experts.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET and Pacers fans are sure to bring the energy and create a hostile atmosphere for New York.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
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Some of countries in the continent that are rich in uranium, such as Niger and Gabon, may be delicate or difficult to deal with in the near term as both underwent military coups recently, with Niger turning hostile toward the French and more toward the Russians.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Of course, stubborn coach Tom Thibodeau went with his only play, a Jalen Brunson iso, while the starters huffed and puffed from playing nearly the entire game.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
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Jet fuel rolled down the street and the smell of it lingered in the air while authorities worked to extinguish one stubborn car fire that sent smoke billowing up.—
John Hanna,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Yet, Nani is barely an adult, struggling to balance working full time, taking care of the bills and insurance, and raising a feisty 6-year-old.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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Squibb plays Eleanor Morgenstein, a feisty Jewish widow who lives with her best friend Bessie (Rita Zohar), a Holocaust survivor, in Florida.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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