1
as in masses
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
claimed that only scum lived in that part of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
ignore the heckler—he's complete scum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scum
Hard water stains, soap scum, and everyday grime can accumulate quickly, making even the cleanest bathroom feel less fresh.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Infamous Internet imageboard and wretched hive of scum and villainy 4chan was apparently hacked at some point Monday evening and remains mostly unreachable as of this writing.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025
Although these situations are likely inevitable, there’s a simple solution to help achieve a thorough clean without the back-breaking labor that’s usually involved with scrubbing away dirt, grime, and soap scum.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Check the soup periodically and skim off any foam or scum that accumulates on the surface of the broth.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Infamous Internet imageboard and wretched hive of scum and villainy 4chan was apparently hacked at some point Monday evening and remains mostly unreachable as of this writing.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025
Although these situations are likely inevitable, there’s a simple solution to help achieve a thorough clean without the back-breaking labor that’s usually involved with scrubbing away dirt, grime, and soap scum.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Check the soup periodically and skim off any foam or scum that accumulates on the surface of the broth.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scum
Noun
-
There was little-to-no doubt Jurgen Klopp’s side were going to defeat Ralf Rangnick’s under-interim-management rabble that day.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Advertisement From start to finish, pure madness, amid a rabble that never calmed, never quieted, never quit.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
-
The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
In this case, the first task is to acquaint the local populace with the new part-owner and his significance before the franchise can capitalize on his worldwide stature in the sport.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
23 May 2025
-
Whether this research method is an adequate representation of the populace at large is an open question.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Elves, insectoids, reptilians, aliens, gods, and clowns are all common.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
-
Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Despite months of neighborhood opposition, a trash truck depot will indeed move forward on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
-
For such a staunch advocate of pop trash, Cocker is surprisingly tuned out from modern radio.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
This included four search dogs, three doctors, a diving team and a water extraction contingent, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP reported.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN,
13 Sep. 2023
-
According to LifeLine, the DeKalb shelter takes in 135 dogs a week on average.—
Jim Gaines,
ajc,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
Somehow, this respectable foe of radicalism had organized the political realignment that broke up the Union, sustained the war that overthrew the South’s ruling class, and managed the struggle that emancipated its proletariat.—
Matthew Karp,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
-
As is the case with the aesthetics of people, exquisite lines can be found on patrician and proletariat cars alike.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But while this car-loving cult figure will be back pitching again in 2025 after a 2-year hiatus, having mended his left shoulder, Ohtani is well-known in baseball circles as a car lover, a practical joker and a philanthropist.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
These jokers are still just hanging out and having the same old drinking parties.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scum. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share