rustier; rustiest
1
: affected by or as if by rust
especially
: stiff with or as if with rust
2
: not as good or quick as usual or as in the past because of lack of practice or use
3
a
: of the color rust
b
: dulled in color or appearance by age and use
rusty old boots
4
: outmoded
rusty jokes
Synonyms of rusty
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Adjective (1)
Examples of rusty in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
rusty laws still on the books because no one bothered to repeal them
in a rusty voice the old man ordered us off his land
Recent Examples on the Web
Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026
The rampaging left-back did not look rusty in his comeback against Burnley in December after missing 12 games with a knee injury.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The team worked alongside local artisans to preserve frescoes and medieval details while layering in aromatic woods, soft carpets, vibrant wool blankets, and rusty-hued velvet couches.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
The inspector noted rusty shelves in the walk-in cooler, a fly strip directly over a food prep area and an employee washing their hands at the warewashing sink.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rusty
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Adjective
Irish setters are prized for its 12- to 15-year life span and its beautiful, silky coat, which comes in a rusty red.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026
The rampaging left-back did not look rusty in his comeback against Burnley in December after missing 12 games with a knee injury.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The team worked alongside local artisans to preserve frescoes and medieval details while layering in aromatic woods, soft carpets, vibrant wool blankets, and rusty-hued velvet couches.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
The inspector noted rusty shelves in the walk-in cooler, a fly strip directly over a food prep area and an employee washing their hands at the warewashing sink.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rusty
Cite this Entry
“Rusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rusty. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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