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 All that to say, a glass of rye whiskey, one of the oldest drinks in America and the original base of many of our earliest cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, is an easy way to honor the scrappy American spirit. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026 His sending-off yesterday after opening the scoring in an impressive, if scrappy, round-of-32 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina was arguably less forceful than Lionel Messi’s unpunished challenge in Argentina’s opening match. — David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026 Led by its captain and best player of all-time, Mohamed Salah, Egypt survived its toughest test against a youthful and scrappy Australia squad on Friday at AT&T Stadium with a penalty shootout win in the round of 32. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026 Is it defined by the scrappy, DIY spirit of Derek Jarman in the 1980s, or the New Queer Cinema movement in the 1990s, courtesy of directors like Gregg Araki and Gus Van Sant? — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrappy

Adjective

The goal is gentle smoke and indirect heat rather than aggressive flames.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Right now, the multi-trillion-dollar global apparel industry is undergoing an aggressive technological shift, adopting artificial intelligence as a production standard rather than an experimental pilot.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

In a controversial move, the Department of Education last year decided that certain healthcare studies – such as nursing, physician assistants and physical therapy – were not considered professional programs.

— Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
One of the most controversial things to happen in sports over the last five to seven years or so is the introduction of jersey ads.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

Yet Piker himself has followed the DSA’s militant line, repeatedly praising authoritarian regimes such as China’s, Cuba’s, and Russia’s, as well as terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
There are also concerns that fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon could escalate once more and derail future talks.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 June 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

These groups tackle politically contentious issues like immigration, human rights, and the environment.

— Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
However, the bill was so contentious that in order to squeak it through, legislators stuffed it full of carve-outs and exemptions, allowing cities to delay implementation by passing their own plans to add density.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

The movie follows the life of feisty belle Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), from growing up on a plantation to her love affairs, including with roguish Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Though to the credit of the series and especially Dana’s feisty performance, Zorro makes some effort.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026

Definition of feisty

Adjective

Colombia earned its passage into the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over stubborn Ghana.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Pickle Robot’s Physical AI unloaders tackle the dock door bottleneck, which is a stubborn pain point in inbound logistics, while AmbiStack handles the structured, high-volume stacking that feeds downstream operations.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of stubborn

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“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrappy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrappy

adjective

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