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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shabby
Not shabby for a film whose initial grosses were considered disappointing.
—
Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025
Her box score stats don’t jump out like Watkins’ or Hidalgo’s — though 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds isn’t too shabby — but her presence on the court amplifies her teammates’ abilities.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The Matterhorn and Mont Blanc are not too shabby either.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Few disputed the decision, but the handling of Fonseca’s exit was shabby.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shabby 
Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025
Her box score stats don’t jump out like Watkins’ or Hidalgo’s — though 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds isn’t too shabby — but her presence on the court amplifies her teammates’ abilities.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The Matterhorn and Mont Blanc are not too shabby either.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Few disputed the decision, but the handling of Fonseca’s exit was shabby.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shabby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shabby
Adjective
-
The hotel is founded and managed by locals, who transformed a dilapidated bed-and-breakfast into a six-acre luxury hotel in 2001.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2025
-
They were forced to live in dilapidated buildings with mold, sewage, and rodent issues, and were confined to their rooms for weeks on end.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
What if standing up to Trump is the very thing that saves the Liberal Party, and Trudeau’s tattered legacy?—
Talib Visram,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
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But the tattered state of the alliance system is not Trump’s doing alone.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2020
Adjective
-
If coordinated correctly, Trump’s tariff threats offer an enormous opportunity for America’s neglected waterfront.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Lawmakers also met to better understand the difficulties counties face in finding temporary placements for neglected and special needs children.—
Christina Lengyel | The Center Square contributor,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Is there something about the needy Anja and her ragged child that the barren Isabell responds to?—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Helena reached the microlight, adjusted her ponytail, and then climbed into the back seat, as the birds flew in ragged circles nearby.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Gray and faded whiskers may be changed to their natural color and even brown or black by using Buckingham dye – try it.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Groom indoor foliage to remove old leaves, faded flowers and declining portions.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shabby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shabby. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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