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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Recent Examples of grungy
The title character played by Michael Keaton in both the 1988 film and the sequel, released Sept. 6, terrified audiences in the '80s in his iconic grungy black and white striped suit.
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Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024
From the minimalist aesthetic that defined much of the era to the roster of iconic supermodels who were part of the grungy club scene, the ’90s continue to provide an endless source of inspiration for fashion lovers.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024
The 1990s, meanwhile, is when Ryder emerged as a style icon off the screen—thanks to her impossibly-cool grungy wardrobe of leather jackets, jeans, and slip dresses.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2024
Toto’s high-gloss only-in-L.A. aesthetic didn’t age well into the ’90s and early 2000s, when rock went grungy then garage-y; even in Toto’s heyday, critics dismissed the band as hot-dogging technicians.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grungy 
Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024
From the minimalist aesthetic that defined much of the era to the roster of iconic supermodels who were part of the grungy club scene, the ’90s continue to provide an endless source of inspiration for fashion lovers.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024
The 1990s, meanwhile, is when Ryder emerged as a style icon off the screen—thanks to her impossibly-cool grungy wardrobe of leather jackets, jeans, and slip dresses.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2024
Toto’s high-gloss only-in-L.A. aesthetic didn’t age well into the ’90s and early 2000s, when rock went grungy then garage-y; even in Toto’s heyday, critics dismissed the band as hot-dogging technicians.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grungy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grungy
Adjective
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These dogs often come from cramped, filthy mills, without sufficient veterinary care, food, water or socialization.Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
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The O’Haras happen to move in next door to him. Frothy and often filthy without being brainless (send thanks across the Atlantic for that good British dialogue), this is escapism done right.Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Her sweet idiot of a neighbor stood on the unlit front porch of his dilapidated brick rancher as the sun dipped below the horizon and shadows stretched to swallow him.Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
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While Abang quietly guts chickens in the Pudu wet market and takes odd jobs for half the wages a legal worker would receive, Adik is seen fleeing from a raid by immigration police in a dilapidated apartment block.Richard Kuipers, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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For her debut spring 2025 collection, Waksal worked with lightweight and fluid materials in neutral tones (black, ivory, dusty gray, bone, army green and white) across mix-and-match styles that can easily move and be layered.Emily Mercer, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
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While the bride was in the bathroom, the mother-in-law showed the groom-to-be the two dresses — the dusty pink bridesmaid dress and the darker dress — and asked him to pick which one looks best.Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Soft landing optimism has led the 2024 stock rally to broaden as of late into more neglected areas of the market such as small-caps.Krystal Hur, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
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Meanwhile, a team aiming to restore a neglected and earthquake-damaged archaeological site in Turkey came across a tiny 3,500-year-old cuneiform tablet.Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 Aug. 2024
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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If your grill grates are particularly dirty and difficult to clean, remove them and clean them using a pressure washer.Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Nov. 2024
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That was two years ago, and already, the clunky GAN looks dated, the dolls glitchy and dirty, their eyes misaligned.Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The expansive interview-laden liner notes and fly-on-the-wall session tapes provide illuminating context, and Sean’s mixes render tracks originally made for the muddy mono of AM radio in vital clarity for the AirPod era.Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
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In front of them, there’s a massive number 40 carved deep into a field, creating a dirty, muddy obstacle course.Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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He was last seen wearing a tan shirt, tan pants, black, red and white Nike’s and a jacket.The Enquirer, The Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2024
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Macie Banks Macie Banks wore a glittery black lace pantsuit over a black tube top and black shorts.Ada Tseng, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grungy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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