SCURRILOUS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

scurrilous

adjective

ˈskər-ə-ləs

Definition of scurrilous

as in abusive

marked by harsh insulting language a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington

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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 scurrilous Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban. — John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025 The good people of Lancaster County were innocent of the charges thrown at them by raving Southerners and scurrilous Democrats. — Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 Tom Hanks played McCoy, Melanie Griffith played his mistress, and Bruce Willis played a scurrilous journalist in the center of it all. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026 In the Hulu version of the story, Clarke plays Alex, a middle-aged lawyer stealing money from his clients and funneling it into an opioid addiction and, the series implies, other scurrilous crimes. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scurrilous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurrilous

Adjective

Aggression is the norm A common misconception is that aggression needs to be physical before it’s considered abusive, but that’s not always the case.

— Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026
The union did not give specific examples of abusive incidents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of abusive

Adjective

These charges are outrageous and should be alarming to every American.

— Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Dressed in rehearsal clothes, the comedian pulls a series of exaggerated expressions, hinting at the outrageous comedy audiences can expect when the curtain rises.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of outrageous

Adjective

Counterculture Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.

— Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026

Definition of obscene

Adjective

In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.

— Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026

Definition of vituperative

Browse Nearby Words

scurrility

scurrilous

scurrilousness

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“Scurrilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurrilous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scurrilous

adjective

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