scurvy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word scurvy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of scurvy are contemptible, despicable, pitiable, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When might contemptible be a better fit than scurvy?

The synonyms contemptible and scurvy are sometimes interchangeable, but contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When can despicable be used instead of scurvy?

The words despicable and scurvy can be used in similar contexts, but despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

When would pitiable be a good substitute for scurvy?

The words pitiable and scurvy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

When could sorry be used to replace scurvy?

In some situations, the words sorry and scurvy are roughly equivalent. However, sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

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 scurvy Pink even filmed a music video for the track, in which she is dressed as a pirate while singing about scurvy complications. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023 Along with violent seasickness, passengers suffered from fever, dysentery, boils, scurvy, mouth rot, rat bites, and lice so copious that they could be scraped off the body. Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023 The squadron immediately ran into trouble when typhus and then scurvy, a grotesque disease of Vitamin C deficiency, struck down the majority of the crew. Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023 In the ancient world, would-be surgeons sometimes used primitive drills or saws on people, and even a child, with brain traumas, scurvy or intracranial infection, sometimes killing them. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for scurvy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurvy
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • Who knew that banning books, paying teachers pitiful salaries and threatening them with jail if they were caught with salacious book titles would be the holy grail of student success?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Who knew that banning books, paying teachers pitiful salaries and threatening them with jail if they were caught with salacious book titles would be the holy grail of student success.
    Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Other players have been successful elsewhere, including Tomljanovic and Sam Stosur, who won the 2011 U.S. Open, but both have relatively wretched records in Melbourne.
    Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
  • That’s good news for drivers who use this wretched thoroughfare and worry that their tires and shocks could not withstand the ruts and ridges of constant travel on a road that looks like it was damaged by mortar fire.
    Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Also, when compared to active mutual funds, with an average fee of 1.02%, active ETFs are relatively cheaper.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025
  • For example, new builds are cheaper than existing homes in Austin, Texas, where builders have cranked out more (relatively) affordable inventory.
    Brianna Crane, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat had the splashiest individual stat line with 2.5 sacks, but a crew of nasty defensive tackles wrought devastation versus the run and the pass.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • What follows is a twisted game of house where familiar familial relationships crumble and new ones take root like nasty black weeds.
    M.L. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Surrounded by plenty of enemies, political and otherwise, the husband and wife have no choice but to get their hands dirty in order to save their son.
    Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Evans recommends carving out some time to complete tasks like returning dirty dishes or mugs from elsewhere in the house to the sink.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This spot features a housemade limoncello and a mean happy hour from Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m to 6 p.m., including a $5 house cabernet and chardonnay, $4.50 domestic beers and $7 bites.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Guests arrive to a warm welcome from innkeeper Todd Schwartz, who lives upstairs, drives a 1967 Lincoln Continental, and stirs a mean Martini.
    Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s crazy to me: divine love shown to us through a disgusting and emaciated corpse hanging on a tool of execution.
    Mike Lowenberg, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • What happens when a social influencer builds her entire rep on a disgusting lie?
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near scurvy

Cite this Entry

“Scurvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurvy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scurvy

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