1
as in filthy
not clean
after playing outside, the kids came in grungy and in need of a good bath
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2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
even though this grungy sweatshirt is falling apart, it's still my favorite
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grungy
Black Francis and Emma Richardson — who joined the band in 2024 — crooned the grungy, guitar heavy tune.
—
Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
Outsiders like Devon, on the other hand, are marked by their grungy combat boots, tattoos, and heavy eyeliner.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 23 May 2025
There was this beautiful, really fun, cheap, grungy rehearsal studio in Culver City called Exposition Studios.
—Michelle Woo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Rothman shepherded Teitelbaum’s rebrand, helping to realign her sound in a way that more authentically reflected her taste — retaining the dark tint of her Baum output, but grounding it in grungy live instruments instead of synths.
—Olivia Horn, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
Outsiders like Devon, on the other hand, are marked by their grungy combat boots, tattoos, and heavy eyeliner.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 23 May 2025
There was this beautiful, really fun, cheap, grungy rehearsal studio in Culver City called Exposition Studios.
—Michelle Woo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Rothman shepherded Teitelbaum’s rebrand, helping to realign her sound in a way that more authentically reflected her taste — retaining the dark tint of her Baum output, but grounding it in grungy live instruments instead of synths.
—Olivia Horn, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grungy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grungy
Adjective
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These words are so filthy, even 40 years later, that Tribune editors will only allow an edited version to be included here.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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The girl is so filthy that just one look at her gets across the idea that this lifestyle is repellent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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But Spencer said replacing old, dilapidated buildings with newer ones could also put the district in a better position to compete with charter schools.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Just think about where your luggage has been; it gets hauled through airports, goes for a ride on a conveyor belt, rolls across dusty parking lots, is stashed into overhead bins, and is often handled by multiple people with no guarantee of clean hands.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2025
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He’s worn them outside on dusty furniture, has cat fur all over them ...—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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But the area where these cuts will be felt most acutely is with respect to elder abuse, which is already a neglected area of health care and social services.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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Employees get their hands dirty in the intro course by learning how to prompt, then move to more advanced courses on building custom GPTs and agents.—
Melissa Daimler,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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Use the packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes for the duration of your cruise.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Fucci, who was staying near the Guadalupe River, filmed on her phone a torrent of muddy water flooding the road to her grandmother's house.—
Susan Miller,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
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Navy blue and sage green have become go-to choices but are losing their charm; opt for moody hues like muddy green, rust, or confident forest green instead.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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No polymer binder is used with Lithium Forever, enabling over 90% of materials, including active substances from the anode and cathode, to be recovered without the costly and energy-intensive black mass process.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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Beyond the reception area of the six-floor Art Deco building—a space decorated with a mustard leather sofa and walnut lounge chairs upholstered in black leather or blue velvet—is a spiral terrazzo staircase that guests can use to access the hotel’s suites.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grungy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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