as in dusty
severely lacking in cleanliness
My friend thinks that scuzzy dive bar has "character," but the smell alone is enough to keep me far away from that place.
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Recent Examples of scuzzy
The premise of the first movie, which treated Arthur as a scuzzy sociopath out of a Scorsese fever dream, is that unlike the dark-side characters in comic-book movies, Arthur really was just a disturbed individual.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024
That context may help explain why Big Tech products can sometimes feel frustrating, such as unhelpful Google search results or scuzzy Instagram accounts.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
The prior Deadpool films were scuzzy and cobbled together, even as the budget grew; the cameos from other Marvel characters felt half-hearted and perfunctory, inclusions for Deadpool to roll his eyes at, not for fans to cheer over.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2024
Mike would rather move the bullseye to the Aryans, who have some scuzzy operatives working outside the prison that no one will miss.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 2 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for scuzzy
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024
That context may help explain why Big Tech products can sometimes feel frustrating, such as unhelpful Google search results or scuzzy Instagram accounts.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
The prior Deadpool films were scuzzy and cobbled together, even as the budget grew; the cameos from other Marvel characters felt half-hearted and perfunctory, inclusions for Deadpool to roll his eyes at, not for fans to cheer over.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2024
Mike would rather move the bullseye to the Aryans, who have some scuzzy operatives working outside the prison that no one will miss.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 2 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for scuzzy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuzzy
Adjective
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Its head is outfitted with LED lights that illuminate dark, dusty areas.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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For a piece in this week’s issue, Helfand speaks with all parties involved, and even visits Elvis in his current resting place, amid dusty knickknacks and towering piles of junk in an office behind a mechanic’s garage.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
The New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In early modern Europe, the filthiest trades (such as tanning) were branded nuisances and forced out of cities and closer to those living at society’s margins.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
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The beat is straight up filthy, as are the lyrics, written from the point of view of a seductress who is simultaneously a literal murderer.—
James Factora,
Them,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Brown suggests creating a paste with equal parts activated charcoal powder and water before spreading it over the greasy surface.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2025
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Among the roster of holidaymakers is Rick, a greasy misanthrope played by Walton Goggins, and his significantly younger girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a fun, flirty babe whose perpetual good mood is at complete odds with her partner.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For some die-hard devotees, the actress’s Colombian heritage disqualified her from playing the fantasy princess, described as having hair as black as ebony and skin as white as snow.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2025
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The Melbourne street race has seen its fencing being painted black, specifically around the starting grid area.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Every Look from the 2025 Oscars Red Carpet By Vogue Based on Court of Honor, William P. Wood’s 1991 legal thriller, this Turner Network Television original movie finds Tom Selleck playing a municipal judge who pitches in to help with a government sting operation focused on nailing a dirty judge.—
Nell Beram,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2025
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More likely, a veteran like Hill or Ford or any number of others — guys who have played a lot and know how to get the dirty work done — could fit.—
Parker Gabriel,
The Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
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There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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But because this enterprise has been spearheaded by a sleazy politician with an almost messianic hold on his fans, Mark Ruffalo’s Kenneth Marshall, too many aspiring space cadets have signed up.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
7 Mar. 2025
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Scrooged is a modern retelling of the 1843 Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol where Murray plays a sleazy TV executive visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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If Serena van der Woodsen had to end up with someone other than Dan Humphrey, Ryan Reynolds isn't too shabby a choice.—
Rachel DeSantis,
EW.com,
26 Feb. 2025
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Like his late father’s homing pigeons who keep returning to their shabby rooftop coop — a holding-pattern image that echoes the ennui of Terry Malloy on a very different waterfront — he’s imprisoned by the limits of his knowledge, the petrified loop of his experience.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuzzy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuzzy. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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