SCABROUS Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'scabrous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scabrous are harsh , rough , rugged , and uneven . While all these words mean "not smooth or even," scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface. // a scabrous leaf

Q: Where would 'harsh' be a reasonable alternative to 'scabrous'?

The meanings of harsh and scabrous largely overlap; however, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch. // a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

Q: When would 'rough' be a good substitute for 'scabrous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scabrous , rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface. // a rough wooden board

Q: When could 'rugged' be used to replace 'scabrous'?

While the synonyms rugged and scabrous are close in meaning, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel. // a rugged landscape

Q: When is it sensible to use 'uneven' instead of 'scabrous'?

The words uneven and scabrous can be used in similar contexts, but uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality. // an old house with uneven floors

scabrous

adjective

Definition of scabrous next

as in troublesome

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective scabrous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scabrous are harsh, rough, rugged, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Where would harsh be a reasonable alternative to scabrous?

The meanings of harsh and scabrous largely overlap; however, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When would rough be a good substitute for scabrous?

While in some cases nearly identical to scabrous, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When could rugged be used to replace scabrous?

While the synonyms rugged and scabrous are close in meaning, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When is it sensible to use uneven instead of scabrous?

The words uneven and scabrous can be used in similar contexts, but uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

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 scabrous At nearly three hours, the anthology film was divisive: Some hailed its scabrous take on human nature as brilliant, and others derided it as bloated. —

Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 May 2024 Malcolm is the pressure-release valve in Baumbach's scabrous follow-up to 2005's The Squid and the Whale, and one of many points of contention between Margot and Pauline. —

Erik Adams, EW.com, 18 July 2023 This dirty Pommie duo make scabrous gold on UK Grim, their 12th studio album. —

Spin Staff, SPIN, 12 Dec. 2023 Brined for 24 hours, the halal chicken is enveloped in a rub whose 15 or so ingredients transform the skin into something scabrous, charred and unnerving. —

Tim Carman, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for scabrous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scabrous

Adjective

From his point of view, opposition at home has been quelled, sometimes murderously, and troublesome organizations such as the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin but is now facing U.S. sanctions, are in Trump's crosshairs too.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Suggested Reading Why big banks are transporting billions of dollars worth of gold on planes Hertz is finally done selling its troublesome Teslas — and the stock falls 10% Disney is pulling back on trigger warnings for old movies Palantir TK. Tesla.

— Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 13 Feb. 2025