SCRUB Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

scrub 1 of 2

verb

Definition of scrub

as in to scrap

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the outdoor art project was scrubbed when the organizers found out they needed permission from city hall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrub

2 of 2

noun

ˈskrəb

as in toy

something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had

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 scrub

Verb

Wipe the solution off with water and a microfiber cloth, scrubbing at the grimy parts. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026 Chang’e 7 was supposed to launch onboard a Long March 5 rocket on August 24, but the launch was scrubbed on Sunday evening, China’s Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

The successful run follows cold testing completed earlier this spring, where crews pressurized the primary circuit to scrub pipes and test for micro-leaks. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 Reaching for gritty scrubs or scratchy tools at night can make the problem worse. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrub

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrub

Verb

Three Saudi companies have scrapped plans for initial public offerings that were scheduled over the next month because of expectations of weak investor demand as the Iran war weighs on sentiment, according to people familiar with the matter.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The Venice Film Festival is weighing scrapping its traditional opening jury press conference on the Lido.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrap

Noun

Russian drones hit three major distribution centers, destroying depots belonging to a toy store chain and a confectionery company, and damaging another run by an electronics retailer, the companies said.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Cullen’s voice gave a sense of gravitas and importance to what many (adults) at the time considered a half hour toy ad.

— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of toy

Verb

If the league and union can’t agree on a new contract by some time in March, some regular-season games likely would be canceled.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Another, who said a relative's upcoming interview had been canceled, described feeling confused and upset by what appeared to be an embassy-wide hold.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

The image, captured a year earlier by the Hubble Space Telescope, showed UGC 9050-Dw1, a dwarf galaxy some 115 million light-years from Earth.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Watching all ten members sing at once is funny the way the seven dwarves all sleeping in their little beds next to each other is funny.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

Financing expires, talent moves on, and production slates are abandoned.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
At an event overflowing with seven-figure hypercars and extreme technology, the car that exploded onto social media was one built around ideas that most of the industry has abandoned.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of abandon

Noun

The more common nickname, El Mencho, is said to be a diminutive of his first name, Nemesio.

— Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Another gender-neutral name that had a burst of popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Jamie was a go-to for girls or a diminutive of James for boys.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026

Definition of diminutive

Verb

In August last year, Washington imposed 25% tariff on imports from India as a penalty for buying Russian oil, only to revoke them in February this year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Genesis also argued that the county lacked authority to revoke the permits because federal law supersedes local regulations.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of revoke

Verb

That includes prohibiting the construction of AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods, reducing the impacts of data centers on local communities, and repealing sales tax exemptions and other incentives.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
According to correspondence reviewed by ProPublica, the Joint Staff disagreed with the Army acting secretary, who said in a February 2025 memo that the program was redundant and recommended Congress repeal the law that set it in motion.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeal

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scroungy

scrub

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

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Synonyms of scrub

verb

noun

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