1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scrappy
The scrappy and broadly rural culture of TikTok in India winnowed down into a more top-down influencer culture on those two platforms.
—
Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025
Like your Pittsburghs and Baltimores of the world, the Titans have been defined by physical, downhill running backs, penetrating defenses built around strong lines, athletic quarterbacks, scrappy supporting casts and coaches who help teams outpunch their stature.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Davie’s management is a scrappy set of dealmakers, and has wasted no time in hunting down Polar shipbuilding expertise.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Alongside Dune: Part 2, users picked several smaller, scrappier movies as year-end faves.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scrappy 
Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025
Like your Pittsburghs and Baltimores of the world, the Titans have been defined by physical, downhill running backs, penetrating defenses built around strong lines, athletic quarterbacks, scrappy supporting casts and coaches who help teams outpunch their stature.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Davie’s management is a scrappy set of dealmakers, and has wasted no time in hunting down Polar shipbuilding expertise.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Alongside Dune: Part 2, users picked several smaller, scrappier movies as year-end faves.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scrappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy
Adjective
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The fire, first reported Wednesday morning, has quickly spread due to aggressive winds that have plagued firefighting efforts for weeks.—
Greg Norman,
Fox News,
23 Jan. 2025
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An aggressive exterior, with more aero and venting, hints at the performance potential within.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Several House and Senate Democrats supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act despite the bill’s controversial measures.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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The Cubs kept his access time brief, knowing he would be asked about the controversial subject.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Palestinian statehood remains very difficult question for Israel to answer, pushed further away by the October 7 attacks and 15 months of brutal war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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Three Israeli hostages were released to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday following a ceasefire deal between Israel and the militant group Hamas.—
Rachel Scully,
The Hill,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This hearing and a Thursday session before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions are expected to be contentious due to Kennedy's views on vaccines.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Kennedy’s hearing marks the beginning of what is expected to be a series of contentious sessions on Capitol Hill.—
Matt Galka,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, she was hounded out of the classroom by authorities hostile to Western literature.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2025
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Last year, Trump's predecessor Joe Biden fired the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, after an investigation found the official had created a hostile work environment.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Thanks to its impressive staying power, this eyeliner can be a bit stubborn to remove.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The 17-inch hoops at each end, bar-end mirrors, and a new headlight all contribute to that feisty sporty appearance.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Jan. 2025
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Now, the task gets dramatically more difficult against a bona fide Super Bowl contender in front of the feisty Lions fans at Ford Field.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near scrappy
Cite this Entry
“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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