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

The aggressive action will be closely watched by other states and school systems.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Tour participants described an aggressive interrogation by an Israeli border agent.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 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

Pakistan has often accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP and other militant groups, allegations both countries deny.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Israel invaded southern Lebanon in March after Hezbollah, a Shia Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, resumed strikes on Israel to avenge the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

Wendi and Markel settled their contentious divorce in 2013 without a trial.

— Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
The first budget meeting typically serves as a curtain-raiser for a two-week sprint to eliminate as many contentious budget provisions as possible — often with one-time revenue sources that kick the fiscal can to another year.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

Kuwait's army said its air defence systems were targeting hostile missile and drone attacks.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Some recent laws, including the Safer Skies Act of 2025, grant state and local agencies (though not private-sector entities) greater license to detect and track hostile drones.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrappy

adjective

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