scurrilous

adjective

ˈskər-ə-ləs How to pronounce scurrilous (audio)
Definition of scurrilousnext
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington

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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 scurrilous And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 In the Hulu version of the story, Clarke plays Alex, a middle-aged lawyer stealing money from his clients and funneling it into an opioid addiction and, the series implies, other scurrilous crimes. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban. — John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025 The good people of Lancaster County were innocent of the charges thrown at them by raving Southerners and scurrilous Democrats. — Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scurrilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurrilous
  1. abusive
  2. outrageous
  3. insulting
  4. obscene
  5. vituperative
Adjective
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Born into a dysfunctional and abusive household in 1929, Kusama spent much of her childhood in a military factory sewing parachutes for Japan’s imperial army during World War II.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The outfits are increasingly outrageous, including a number featuring knee-high pink leather boots paired with same colored short shorts and a leather bra and long lime green hair.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • More than 3,000 shows and a sizable cult following later, The Dark Room has evolved into a choose-your-own-adventure live action video game, presided over by Robertson as its obscene, merciless and incredibly quick-witted host.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The law is aimed at prohibiting children from obtaining books and movies with obscene content.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative

Browse Nearby Words

scurrility
scurrilous
scurrilousness
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Cite this Entry

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

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