SCRAPPY Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

scrappy

adjective

Definition of scrappy

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

as in controversial

given to arguing a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything

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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 scrappy Pantochino Productions is lively, scrappy, small theater company in Milford. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 The company’s first raise in January 2016 was typical of the early, scrappy years of Israel’s tech startup scene. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 On defense, Ejiro Evero’s unit remains scrappy, led by Derrick Brown upfront and Jaycee Horn in the secondary—though depth along the pass rush remains a slight concern if injuries strike. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 This was more of the scrappy variety as Leng didn’t make a birdie until the par-3 10th hole and made only two for the round. — Mercury News Staff, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy

Adjective

Cramer also pointed to Abercrombie's aggressive share repurchases as another boost to earnings per share.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, being aggressive in what was a must-win series finale against the Washington Nationals, chose to go to his bullpen early.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Decades later, buses helped desegregate schools, hauling Black and white children across the country’s racial divide, a controversial practice that has mostly ended.

— Jeff McMurray, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Based on true events, Jacob Tremblay plays the 16-year-old Harvard prodigy who is subjected to controversial psychological experiments by Professor Henry Murray (Russell Crowe) and his eventual transformation into the Unabomber.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

Abductions are common in Nigeria, where militant groups target schoolchildren and other civilians to put pressure on the government and extract ransoms.

— Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The strikes came after Israel blamed the militant Hezbollah group for firing two explosive drones.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

Several cities across the nation are locked in a contentious debate over Flock cameras, but in Erlanger, that decision has been made.

— Brooklyn Andres, Fox 19 Cincinnati, 28 Aug. 2026
The latest version of the polling place plan follows a contentious August meeting about a proposal to reduce the number of Election Day voting locations for the November midterm from 316 in 2022 to 176 in 2026.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

Forecasters said the system is expected to be short-lived because of hostile environmental conditions starting on Friday that will prevent it from developing further.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

Even so, the film’s gaze is more anthropological than polemical, especially given the faux-doc vibe created by its abundant handheld camerawork, seemingly filmed sometimes by the actors themselves.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Now, in the 1500s and 1600s, that phrase was often used by Catholics in their polemical war against Protestants.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Definition of polemical

Adjective

Alyson Hannigan was Lily, a kindergarten teacher and Marshall’s loving, supportive wife, who also happens to have a wild, feisty, and neurotic side.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026
Award-winning actor Kandis Chappell deftly illuminates the witty, feisty, vulnerable woman who was considered the heart of FDR’s presidency.

— Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of feisty

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“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrappy

adjective

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