1
as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
the cat looked rather funny, all bedraggled and fit to be tied after her bath
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filthy
not clean
found flood victims in bedraggled clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wet
to make wet
I was so bedraggled by the relentless rain that I couldn't wait to get into some dry clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bedraggled
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
England’s Ashes with the ball ended with Carse, Josh Tongue, a bedraggled Matthew Potts and part-time spinners Bethell and Will Jacks bowling Australia out for 567, their highest score of the series.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Although some houseplants don’t mind dry air, low humidity levels put stress on certain tropical plants and ferns, and leave plants looking bedraggled, or, in the worst case, slowly kill them.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Dec. 2025
His bedraggled manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), arranges for a lifetime-achievement award to await him in Europe; his publicist Liz (Laura Dern) runs interference on the viral videos that start to leak out of a hapless Jay stumbling around train cars, looking confused in the unfamiliar environment.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedraggled
Adjective
Another volunteer who also wants in, Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson), is a bedraggled punk wearing a ratty princess costume for reasons also to be disclosed.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
England’s Ashes with the ball ended with Carse, Josh Tongue, a bedraggled Matthew Potts and part-time spinners Bethell and Will Jacks bowling Australia out for 567, their highest score of the series.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Although some houseplants don’t mind dry air, low humidity levels put stress on certain tropical plants and ferns, and leave plants looking bedraggled, or, in the worst case, slowly kill them.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Dec. 2025
His bedraggled manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), arranges for a lifetime-achievement award to await him in Europe; his publicist Liz (Laura Dern) runs interference on the viral videos that start to leak out of a hapless Jay stumbling around train cars, looking confused in the unfamiliar environment.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedraggled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedraggled
Adjective
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There’s a fabulous art deco bar, dripping chandeliers, and gold chinoiserie wallpaper by Timorous Beasties.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Another late work, Color Wheel, 2018–19, comprises a group of thirty massive canvases arranged in a circle, each a vivid, monochromatic shade atop which has been painted a single, dripping bar of complementary hue.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Space Marines are attempting to reclaim Kronus from the filthy xenos on the planet, leading a heroic charge into a massive Ork army as the Necrons rise again.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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The woman was taken to the Fort Worth jail, by then best described as an old, filthy, rat-infested hole in the basement of city hall.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lightly wet a microfiber cloth with warm water, being careful not to over-soak it.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Their quality, richly saturated and startlingly clear, transformed the market for the stone worldwide and earned Sauer widespread plaudits for both championing their use and stretching the definition of what an emerald could do.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
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These glazes result in the gorgeous, deeply saturated colors zellige tiles are known for, but that color comes with a downside.—
Heather Bien,
Martha Stewart,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
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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
Verb
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Nevertheless, higher gasoline prices have drowned out any hope of a rate cut among the chattering classes.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Those who yelled were drowned out by the chanting and singing.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Inside, there are 13 stained glass windows alternating in red or blue color with white limestone walls in between.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Firefighters made a hole with an axe just above the entrance to let the thick black smoke flow out and to avoid breaking the eight stained glass windows along the sides of the structure.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead of being thrown out, these items will be washed and reused in an effort to cut down on plastic waste at CHS Field.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
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Amid an ongoing court battle over clergy access to the west suburban ICE facility, Catholic ministers entered the building and, in the traditional Holy Thursday ritual, washed the feet of 14 detainees at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, April 2, 2026, in Broadview.—
Todd Panagopoulos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bedraggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedraggled. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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