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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Recent Examples of scrappy
No longer were the Knights content to be a scrappy underdog.
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Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
This scene, set in the remote Andes in 1952, gets limited page time in Guevara’s scrappy coming-of-age memoir, which his family released posthumously in 1992.
—Mark Johanson, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2024
By Stephanie Zacharek November 22, 2024 10:58 AM EST
The pleasures of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II are numerous: There’s Paul Mescal as scrappy gladiator Lucius, bent on kicking as much Roman ass as possible.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Hartenstein had 13 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks to help hold off a scrappy Portland squad.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scrappy 
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
This scene, set in the remote Andes in 1952, gets limited page time in Guevara’s scrappy coming-of-age memoir, which his family released posthumously in 1992.
—Mark Johanson, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2024
By Stephanie Zacharek November 22, 2024 10:58 AM EST
The pleasures of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II are numerous: There’s Paul Mescal as scrappy gladiator Lucius, bent on kicking as much Roman ass as possible.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Hartenstein had 13 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks to help hold off a scrappy Portland squad.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scrappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy
Adjective
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Kristin talks with peers, peers’ parents, and every staff member, explaining how the dog is trained, how to behave around it, and soothing any worries regarding potential aggressive actions.Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
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What drove a lot of interest and buzz around the movie was a reported real-life feud between Blake Lively and star/director Justin Baldoni, which featured things like dramatic press tours, people not following people on Instagram and some passive aggressive press comments.Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The live conversation centered on Osbourne's friendship with controversial TV host Piers Morgan, who was making headlines at the time for his controversial comments about Duchess Meghan.Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Hamilton is on a mission to claim a record-breaking eighth world championship after losing the title to Max Verstappen in 2021 at the controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi.Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Iran continues to play a key role in regional conflicts, supporting militant groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, further complicating its diplomatic relations.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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However, the militant group cautioned that hurdles remain.Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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What’s more, the dynamics for Big Media and Big Tech are complicated by the fact that Trump has had a contentious relationship with major players in both sectors.Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
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Growing up, millennials experienced contentious 2000 and 2008 U.S. presidential elections, the events of September 11, 2001, a war on terror that cost trillions and lasted two decades, and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In story mode, there are a few other people to find on the island, some of whom will be helpful and others hostile.Jason Bennett, arkansasonline.com, 15 Dec. 2024
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For example – in the run-up to this year’s U.S. presidential election, former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor observed that hostile states intending to spread disruption no longer need to influence the vote itself.Bernard Marr, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Fed’s preferred inflation measure — the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — is due Friday and could similarly show stubborn price pressures.Bryan Mena, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
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While the overall economic picture is starting to look better, stubborn inflation and the prospect of new tariffs when President-elect Donald Trump takes office seem to give mid-market leaders pause.Megan Poinski, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Eagles barely held on for a 22-16 victory over the feisty Carolina Panthers.Rob Maaddi, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024
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They were met in their driveway by a feisty polar bear, who lunged at the woman.Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near scrappy
Cite this Entry
“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
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