scraggly

adjective

scrag·​gly ˈskra-g(ə-)lē How to pronounce scraggly (audio)
Synonyms of scragglynext
: irregular in form or growth
scraggly hills
a scraggly beard
also : unkempt

Examples of scraggly in a Sentence

a scraggly little tree
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One easy trick can turn those misshapen lumps with scraggly edges into gorgeous, bakery-worthy treats. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026 The ditches drop deep into scraggly forest on either side of that road, and in the winter, cars often slide off and topple down the hill. Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026 Many people mistakenly assume a place like Death Valley is just sand, scraggly bushes, and a few cacti. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026 For hikers and residents, the steel lattice towers rising from the horizon carrying high-voltage transmission lines up and over the mountains are as recognizable as the bucolic dirt paths, scraggly chapparal, and, at slightly higher elevations, old oaks. Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scraggly

Word History

Etymology

alteration of scraggling, perhaps irregular from scraggy entry 2

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scraggly was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scraggly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scraggly. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

scraggly

adjective
scrag·​gly ˈskrag-(ə-)lē How to pronounce scraggly (audio)
scragglier; scraggliest
: of rough or uneven outline : ragged, unkempt
a scraggly beard
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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