SCRAWNY Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of scrawny are gaunt , lanky , lank , lean , rawboned , skinny , and spare . While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. // a scrawny chicken // skinny street urchins

Q: When could 'gaunt' be used to replace 'scrawny'?

The words gaunt and scrawny can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. // a prisoner's gaunt face

Q: When is 'lank' a more appropriate choice than 'scrawny'?

Although the words lank and scrawny have much in common, lank implies tallness as well as leanness. // the lank legs of the heron

Q: In what contexts can 'lanky' take the place of 'scrawny'?

The synonyms lanky and scrawny are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. // a lanky youth, all arms and legs

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lean' instead of 'scrawny'?

While the synonyms lean and scrawny are close in meaning, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. // a lean racehorse

Q: When might 'rawboned' be a better fit than 'scrawny'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrawny , rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. // a rawboned farmer

Q: When can 'spare' be used instead of 'scrawny'?

In some situations, the words spare and scrawny are roughly equivalent. However, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. // the gymnast's spare figure

scrawny

adjective

Definition of scrawny next

as in skinny

very thin in a way that is not attractive or healthy He changed from a scrawny kid to a brawny teen in just over a year. The only plants in their yard were a couple of scrawny bushes.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scrawny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scrawny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

When could gaunt be used to replace scrawny?

The words gaunt and scrawny can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than scrawny?

Although the words lank and scrawny have much in common, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

In what contexts can lanky take the place of scrawny?

The synonyms lanky and scrawny are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When is it sensible to use lean instead of scrawny?

While the synonyms lean and scrawny are close in meaning, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than scrawny?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrawny, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When can spare be used instead of scrawny?

In some situations, the words spare and scrawny are roughly equivalent. However, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Examples 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 scrawny Here, the body of a scrawny Jesus gushes blood, sending a rivulet of scarlet down his crucifix and onto the ground below. —

Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 Oct. 2024 And Texas football players in the fourth and fifth grade were not necessarily respectful of a scrawny kid with a violin. —

Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024 The 17-inch wheels and radial rubber are nearly twice as wide as the classic Mustang’s scrawny 15-inch originals, with markedly better grip. —

Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 13 July 2024 The cabdriver—a scrawny older man—drives rapidly and erratically, cutting off other vehicles, muttering imprecations in an unfamiliar language under his breath, swerving in and out of lanes, blowing his horn to force laggard drivers to let him by. —

Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for scrawny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrawny

Adjective

DirecTV was involved in a nearly two-week dispute with Walt Disney Company last September over a new carriage agreement where DirecTV sought the ability to offer skinnier bundles of channels.

Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Zones 3-9. J. communis ‘Pencil Point’– Like other junipers, this skinny shrub tolerates poor, dry soils and needs little attention once established.

Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025