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Definitions

scurvy

[skur-vee] / ˈskɜr vi /
ADJECTIVE
cheap
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dirty
WEAK
abject base beggarly contemptible despicable dishonest mean pitiable shabby sordid tawdry vile
ADJECTIVE
contemptible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abhorrent abominable disgusting hateful odious vile worthless
WEAK
abject bad base beggarly cheap crass currish degenerate despisable detestable dirty heel ignoble ignominious inferior low low-down lowest mean outcast paltry pitiable pitiful poor sad scummy shabby sordid sorry swinish unworthy wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delightful kind likeable lovable nice pleasant pleasing
WEAK
admirable admired good honorable loved respectable worthy
ADJECTIVE
dirty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coarse filthy nasty
STRONG
base blue low mean unclean
WEAK
contemptible despicable immoral impure indecent lewd off-color ribald risqué salacious scatological smutty sordid squalid unchaste uncleanly vile vulgar
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent
STRONG
moral
WEAK
nice pure spotless upright
ADJECTIVE
disreputable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contemptible despicable shady shameful sordid vile
WEAK
abject bad base beggarly cheap derogatory discreditable disgraceful disorderly dissolute ignominious in bad in low esteem in the doghouse infamous inglorious lewd libidinous licentious mean no good notorious opprobrious pitiable scandalous shabby shocking shoddy sorry unprincipled vicious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
good honorable reputable respectable worthy
WEAK
decent ethical principled respected
ADJECTIVE
filthy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
indecent nasty vicious
WEAK
base bawdy blue coarse contemptible corrupt depraved despicable dirty-minded foul foul-mouthed impure lewd licentious low mean offensive pornographic raunchy scatological smutty suggestive vile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent friendly kind pleasant
WEAK
chaste pure sterile unpolluted
ADJECTIVE
ignoble
Synonyms
WEAK
abject base baseborn coarse common contemptible corrupt craven dastardly degenerate degraded despicable disgraceful dishonorable heinous humble infamous inferior lewd low mean menial modest ordinary peasant petty plain plebeian poor rotten servile shabby shameful simple sordid unwashed vile vulgar wicked wretched wrong
Antonyms
WEAK
dignified grand high honorable noble reputable respectable worthy
ADJECTIVE
infamous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disgraceful egregious hateful heinous ignominious monstrous notorious outrageous scandalous shocking vicious vile
WEAK
abominable atrocious base contemptible corrupt degenerate despicable detestable dishonorable disreputable evil flagitious foul ill-famed iniquitous loathsome miscreant nefarious odious offensive opprobrious perverse questionable rotten shady sorry unhealthy villainous wicked
Antonyms
STRONGEST
friendly gentle good kind little magnificent nice pleasant wonderful
WEAK
dignified glorious innocent moral perfect principled pure respectable righteous virtuous
ADJECTIVE
low
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rough
STRONG
base blue common degraded depraved gross mean menial offensive raw
WEAK
abject coarse contemptible crass crumby dastardly despicable disgraceful dishonorable disreputable ignoble ill-bred inelegant miserable nasty obscene off-color rude scrubby scruffy servile sordid unbecoming uncouth undignified unrefined unworthy vile woebegone woeful wretched
Antonyms
STRONG
clean good kind moral nice noble polite sophisticated superior
WEAK
above cheerful decent elevated gay happy healthy high honest honorable increased prominent respectable rich strong tall upright well
ADJECTIVE
miserable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bad meager pathetic poor sad shameful sorry tragic wretched
WEAK
abject contemptible deplorable despicable detestable disgraceful godforsaken impoverished indigent inferior lamentable low mean needy paltry penniless piteous pitiable poverty-stricken scanty sordid squalid vile worthless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
adequate advantageous fortunate good great nice reputable
WEAK
generous rich wealthy
ADJECTIVE
pinching
Synonyms
STRONG
close grasping grudging mean narrow near penny-pinching saving scrimping skimping sparing
WEAK
acquisitive avaricious chary cheap chintzy churlish close-fisted costive covetous curmudgeonly economical extortionate frugal greedy hard-fisted ignoble illiberal ironfisted miserly parsimonious pennywise penurious petty pinchpenny rapacious selfish sordid thrifty tight tightfisted uncharitable ungenerous ungiving
Antonyms
STRONG
generous spendthrift unselfish wasting
ADJECTIVE
pitiable
Synonyms
WEAK
abject affecting afflicted arousing base beggarly cheap cheerless comfortless commiserative compassionate contemptible deplorable despicable dismal distressed distressing grievous heartbreaking heartrending inadequate insignificant joyless lamentable low mean miserable mournful moving paltry pathetic piteous poor rueful ruthful sad shabby sorrowful sorry stirring suffering tearful touching vile woeful worthless wretched
ADJECTIVE
pitiful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dismal distressing insignificant lamentable miserable paltry pathetic sad shabby sorry touching woeful wretched
WEAK
abject affecting afflicted arousing base beggarly cheap cheerless comfortless commiserative compassionate contemptible deplorable despicable distressed grievous heartbreaking heartrending inadequate joyless low mean mournful moving piteous pitiable sorrowful stirring suffering tearful vile worthless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful fortunate glad good happy hopeful important joyful lucky nice rich significant substantial wealthy
WEAK
excellent superb superior wonderful worthwhile
ADJECTIVE
ruthful
Synonyms
WEAK
abject affecting afflicted arousing base beggarly cheap cheerless comfortless commiserative compassionate contemptible deplorable despicable dismal distressed distressing grievous heartbreaking heartrending inadequate insignificant joyless lamentable low mean miserable mournful moving paltry pathetic piteous pitiable poor rueful sad shabby sorrowful sorry stirring suffering tearful touching vile woeful worthless wretched
ADJECTIVE
sordid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disreputable nasty shameful sleazy squalid vile
WEAK
abject avaricious base black calculated corrupt covetous debauched degenerate degraded despicable dowdy filthy foul grasping grubby ignoble impure low-down mean mercenary miserable miserly poor seedy self-seeking selfish servile shabby slovenly slummy small small-minded unclean uncleanly ungenerous venal vicious wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent good kind nice reputable respectable
WEAK
honorable wonderful
ADJECTIVE
sorry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dismal distressing miserable pitiful sad
WEAK
abject base beggarly cheap contemptible deplorable despisable disgraceful inadequate insignificant mean paltry piteous pitiable poor scruffy scummy shabby shoddy small trifling trivial unimportant vile worthless wretched
Antonyms
WEAK
good nice
ADJECTIVE
squalid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dingy fetid filthy grimy muddy musty ramshackle seedy shabby sordid wretched
WEAK
abominable base broken-down decayed despicable dirty disgusting disheveled foul gruesome horrible horrid ignoble impure low mean miry moldy nasty odorous offensive poverty-stricken reeking repellent repulsive shoddy sloppy slovenly soiled ugly unclean unkempt vile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright clean clear good honorable nice pure sterile
WEAK
kept-up rich
ADJECTIVE
stingy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frugal greedy miserly selfish thrifty
STRONG
ungenerous
WEAK
acquisitive avaricious chary cheap chintzy churlish close close-fisted costive covetous curmudgeonly economical extortionate grasping grudging ignoble illiberal ironfisted mean narrow near parsimonious pennywise penurious petty pinchpenny rapacious saving scrimping skimping sordid sparing tightfisted uncharitable ungiving
Antonyms
STRONGEST
extravagant generous liberal uneconomical wasteful
WEAK
spendthrift

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cases include electrocution, drowning, overdose, scurvy, sickle cell anemia, a nail in the chest, a fastball in the eye and gallstones, with all the personal drama one expects from a hospital show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

Early white settlers, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia, would eat cranberries as a source of vitamin C to prevent scurvy, “and the berry’s naturally waxy coating allowed for long keeping.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2023

Researchers rushed to isolate other micronutrients associated with diseases like rickets, scurvy, goiters, and more.

From National Geographic • Nov. 9, 2023

"I risk scurvy as well - I haven't eaten anything but croissants and kebabs for five weeks. So I'm desperate for some vegetables!"

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2023

I have not got scurvy yet, anyway, thanks to France’s infinite supply of prison cabbage.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

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