1
as in dripping
containing, covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water
the cat looked rather funny, all bedraggled and fit to be tied after her bath
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filthy
not clean
found flood victims in bedraggled clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wet
to make wet
I was so bedraggled by the relentless rain that I couldn't wait to get into some dry clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 bedraggled
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Generously, Thompson’s performance leaves room for two more, the first being Poots’ low-key but impressive Thea, a mousy woman who arrives wet and bedraggled, causing Hedda to dress her in her own clothes (a gesture that has more than one meaning for Hedda, who’s still in love with Eileen).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
But both the 1957 Italian miniseries and the 1980 BBC television version stay out of the mud entirely, having their Elizabeths arrive at Netherfield in pouring rain, merely bedraggled.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The bedraggled one-story brick building at 408 South Harwood Street, built in 1930, will be remodeled and reconfigured to serve as the park services building, which will include offices, restrooms and a community room.
—Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 23 Sep. 2021
See All Example Sentences for bedraggled
Adjective
Watering mums from above has a similar effect, leaving blooms bedraggled and dull and shortening the lifespan of the flowers.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedraggled
Adjective
-
Wet a clean white cloth and wring until the cloth is not dripping.—
-
Perhaps because the maker is so iconic—dripping with diamonds and all—White Diamonds has stayed a prevalently popular scent for over 20 years.—
Adjective
-
Merry Christmas ya filthy animals.—
-
In other words, Cunha’s job is to convince the Americans now running the federal government to give Brown’s motley crew of gender-benders, anti-Semites and filthy-rich legacies a good leaving alone.—
Verb
-
Now add a blob of water, wetting some of the sand.—
-
For suede boots, wet the entire surface with the vinegar and water solution to help keep the color even.—
Adjective
-
Additionally, replacing saturated fats with olive oil can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, according to Bobrick.—
-
Previous nutrition guideline iterations suggested minimizing or avoiding full-fat dairy and all types of fat, including healthy and saturated.—
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
-
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.—
Verb
-
And a mom and dad promote ocean safety after their son drowned.—
-
On June 20, 2001, in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake, Andrea Yates drowned her five children—Noah, John, Paul, Luke, and Mary—in the family bathtub.—
Adjective
-
Among them is the question of whether to use stained parts of the haversacks — possibly containing blood — on the straps’ reverse side, or to cut around them entirely.—
-
The stained glass traces a hierarchy from the current dean to the Crown and then to God.—
Verb
-
There are certain fabrics, materials, and items that are best dry cleaned or hand washed and laid flat or hung to dry.—
-
Large waves from winter storms may have washed the molts onto the beach, Henry said — something observed in Dana Point in 2024, San Diego and Imperial Beach in 2023, Strands Beach in 2022, etc.—
Cite this Entry
“Bedraggled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedraggled. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share