SCUMBAG Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

scumbag

noun

ˈskəm-ˌbag

Definition of scumbag

slang

as in bastard

a person whose behavior is offensive to others don't romanticize that con artist, as she's nothing more than a scumbag who cheats the most vulnerable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 scumbag Lately, with the return of the Y2K scumbag aesthetic, there was also a certain breed of alt Asian Baby Girl who loved Moon and unfailingly made efforts to impress her. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Some folks at the Michigan State Police got a similar scumbag text. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 5 May 2026 The definition of a lying, scumbag politician –– that is you. — Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2026 Ninety-nine percent of politicians are scumbags. — Tony Dokoupil, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scumbag

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scumbag

Noun

The latter accidentally does happen, which leads to power struggles between the bigoted jerk and our trio of heroines.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Duffy, for his part, came across as a real jerk at times, but surprisingly charming at others, with a half-nerd, half-jock mien—sweepy hair, big glasses, a megawatt smile—that put me in mind of a Wisconsin Sam Seaborn.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of jerk

Noun

But my favorite Tim Curry performance will always be Pennywise, the clown in Tommy Lee Wallace’s 1990 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It, which, compared to Andy Muschietti’s mega popular pair of films, is modest, even a little lame.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Curry, who died Tuesday at 80, made a gleefully evil turn as a clown that sparked nightmares for legions of Gen X and millennial viewers that continue to haunt to this day.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of clown

Noun

The local community has also rallied to help the family by delivering meals, caring for their kids and walking their dog.

— Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Four months later, he was seen last weekend walking dogs, taking walks, enjoying a cup of coffee in a garage, and even stopping to sift through neighborhood trash items on the side of the street.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of dog

Browse Nearby Words

scum

scumbag

scumbags

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scumbag

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes