1
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
shabby wallpaper that was peeling from the walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
shabby, stained clothes that are barely better than rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shabby
On the one hand, this is simply the essence of middle England: rueful, reduced, shabby, and funny-sad in a Larkinesque way.
—
James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The roughing continues in the shabby apartment of Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), the reporter for the Daily Planet who is dating her fellow newsman Clark Kent on the sly.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
The truth about these shabby dealings should have consequences.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Their physical features can be shabby to the point of scandal: mad spacing, pagination mixups, microscopic type.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shabby
James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The roughing continues in the shabby apartment of Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), the reporter for the Daily Planet who is dating her fellow newsman Clark Kent on the sly.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
The truth about these shabby dealings should have consequences.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Their physical features can be shabby to the point of scandal: mad spacing, pagination mixups, microscopic type.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shabby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shabby
Adjective
-
From iconic buildings being saved to companies opening new interactive experiences for guests, the repurposing of old warehouses and dilapidated properties has allowed for growth in Louisville's urban areas.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
-
Now, as soon as next year, the historic campus will transform into housing with 213 apartments as the city's Department of Metropolitan Development and private developers redevelop dilapidated buildings downtown into residential and commercial spaces.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
On a visit to another small Ok. town, Cox spied a tattered awning that said Country Bird, which was the perfect name for her bakery.—
Gary Stern,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Living under a tattered flag of St. George, the people here have reconstructed some semblance of society by relying on traditional tasks and traditional attitudes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
But its location in the neglected and overgrown space remains a mystery.—
Laura L. Davis,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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What’s a neglected part of your ME—your health, learning, or joy?—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
In-ho rolls down his window and looks into the alley, where a man in ragged clothes is playing ddakji with a woman (Blanchett) in a pristine gray suit.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 June 2025
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The breaks in these branches were more ragged and irregular.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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AVs also struggle with wet, faded and low-contrast markings.—
Mark Pittman,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
Follow with a moisture-rich conditioner or deep treatment: To prevent your wig from feeling dry and faded, moisturizing will restore its luster, softness, and elasticity.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shabby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shabby. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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