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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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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 scrappy For Adult Swim’s 25th anniversary, IndieWire traced the scrappy and subversive sensibility that turned a ballsy experiment into one of TV’s most influential brands and, for folks like me, a meaningful ritual. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026 An early home test against a scrappy underdog can be an important wake-up call before Missouri faces surging Mississippi State to start SEC play. — Pj Green september 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026 And the pass rush didn’t always get home against a Wildcats team that was scrappy but slow. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2026 Courtesy Rockaway Film Festival The space certainly feels scrappier than the black-and-white photos of its predecessors. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy

Adjective

While Chelsea tend to retreat after taking the lead, their opponents also become more aggressive in response, committing extra bodies forward and helping to create more open, end-to-end encounters.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The acquisition comes after the distributor’s founder and then-CEO, Andrew Karpen, died from an aggressive form of brain cancer at the age of 59 in May 2025.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Because Sand has not served in a legislative capacity, he isn’t burdened by a controversial voting record on leftist policies, as is Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who is also trying to flip a red state seat.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
While many of the more contentious and controversial aspects of his life are presented in one-sided fashion, friend and former manager Rory Holloway’s still-raw sense of betrayal at Tyson firing his entire team is evoked with vivid irritation.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

The Israeli military said the munition was believed to belong to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2026
In recent months, some militant settlers are ramping up their campaign to violently drive out the Palestinians who live there -- often with impunity -- the Israeli government showing an unwillingness to crack down on the violence.

— Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

But there are uncertainties ahead, including MLB labor negotiations, which will address the contentious question of a player salary cap and could result in a prolonged work stoppage in 2027.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
But the series then gets to know people in depth, allowing for far more nuance than the contentious school board meetings.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

That night, Lee goes to Ginger’s house to tell her what happened — about his hostile showdown with the rupidoop, about Brawny Dude With the Butter Candies checking out Lee’s van in the Boontill parking lot.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trip to Leeds is another daunting assignment for United in what is usually a hostile atmosphere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 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

There was already a tense relationship between the sides off the pitch and a feisty one on it, with both competing for honours over the last few years.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Sexy and thrilling, the Alfred Hitchcock classic benefited from Saint and Grant’s feisty rapport.

— Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of feisty

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“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrappy

adjective

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