Synonyms for scurvy

Grammar : Adj

Spell : skur-vee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈskɜr vi

Top 10 synonyms for scurvy

Other synonyms for the word scurvy

Définition of scurvy

Origin : 1560s, noun use of adjective scurvy "covered with scabs, diseased, scorbutic" (early 15c.), variant of scurfy. It took on the narrower meaning of Dutch scheurbuik, French scorbut "scurvy," in reference to the disease characterized by swollen and bleeding gums, prostration, etc., perhaps from Old Norse skyrbjugr, which is perhaps literally "a swelling (bjugr) from drinking sour milk (skyr) on long sea voyages;" but OED has alternative etymology of Middle Dutch or Middle Low German origin, as "disease that lacerates the belly," from schoren "to lacerate" + Middle Low German buk, Dutch buik "belly."

As in infamous : adj shameful, bad in reputation
As in low : adj crude, vulgar
As in miserable : adj destitute, shabby
As in pitiful : adj in bad shape; poor
As in sordid : adj dirty, bad, low
As in sorry : adj despicable, pathetic
As in squalid : adj poor, run-down
As in stingy : adj penny-pinching, averse to spending money
As in cheap : adj low, vulgar
As in pinching : adj stingy
As in pitiable : adj pitiful
As in ruthful : adj pitiful
As in contemptible : adj despicable, shameful
As in dirty : adj obscene, pornographic
As in disreputable : adj dishonorable, lowly
As in filthy : adj vulgar, obscene
As in ignoble : adj lowly, unworthy

Example sentences :

That's a scurvy welcome to give a nephew you haven't seen for eighteen years.
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

But what are you to do when the boys clear out, and—and play you such a scurvy trick?
Extract from : « The Law-Breakers » by Ridgwell Cullum

Salt meat is not so easily digested as fresh provisions, and has a tendency to produce putrid diseases, especially the scurvy.
Extract from : « The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, » by Mary Eaton

Isn't there danger of scurvy if we have nothing but salt pork to eat?
Extract from : « The Gaunt Gray Wolf » by Dillon Wallace

I asked shocked, “who would think of such a scurvy trick, sir?”
Extract from : « Chance » by Joseph Conrad

She had been under my care three years before for sailor's scurvy.
Extract from : « A Labrador Doctor » by Wilfred Thomason Grenfell

Handel thought the orchestra was just playing him a scurvy trick.
Extract from : « Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 14 » by Elbert Hubbard

Half the crew of seventy-seven perish of starvation and scurvy.
Extract from : « Canada: the Empire of the North » by Agnes C. Laut

The Resolution had only three men on the sick-list, and but one of these had the scurvy.
Extract from : « Captain Cook » by W.H.G. Kingston

In the middle of summer many of his crew were attacked by scurvy.
Extract from : « The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II » by A.E. Nordenskieold

Antonyms for scurvy

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019