1
as in masses
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
claimed that only scum lived in that part of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
ignore the heckler—he's complete scum
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 scum
Hard water stains, soap scum, and everyday grime can accumulate quickly, making even the cleanest bathroom feel less fresh.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Too much detergent, though, can cause a buildup of soap scum, leading to an ineffective rinse cycle.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
In my opinion, the Leeds scum should be, Shovelling s*** on the Isle of Capri.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Place the turkey carcass, water, sachet, ginger and onion in a large pot over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and skim off the scum.
—Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scum
Noun
-
There’s something quite magical, really, about millions of bits of colorful paper flying like snow through the air over a raucous rabble.—
-
Yeoh and Erivo shield Grande from the subsequent rabble before the cast resumes their walk down the yellow carpet and Wen is dragged away by security.—
Noun
-
For those with less-briny palates, a fine jerk chicken and a number of steak cuts are also available.—
-
Mike’s older sister, Nancy (Natalia Dyer), is our entry point to Hawkins High; a pretty striver, she’s recently been distracted from academics by a fling with popular jerk Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).—
Noun
-
As 39% of the United Kingdom populace struggles to heat their homes, Edelstyn and Powell huddle under blankets themselves, trying vainly to warm up with endless mugs of tea.—
-
Each district sends two children as tributes to the fight-to-the-death Hunger Games, concocted by the capitol to keep the populace distracted.—
Noun
-
Brewer depicts the world of music impersonators with a fair amount of affection, like the rodeo clowns of late 20th-century America.—
-
Cirque du Soleil is known for its shows featuring acrobats, athletes and clowns – all doing spectacular feats.—
Noun
-
However, do not compost plant debris and soil of plants that had pest and disease issues, but dispose of it in the trash.—
-
Wayne’s body was found by a passing driver in a northeast Aurora field littered with trash and debris one month after she was last seen alive, with her clothes and purse were strewn about the area, according to the affidavit.—
Noun
-
Choose a crate that is a comfortable size for your dog.—
-
The stretchy fabric allows for a full range of motion and remains in place through every downward dog and tree pose.—
Noun
-
Severin, on the other hand, represents the revolutionary proletariat.—
-
Lower than proletariat workers, the lumpenproletariat includes the indigent and the unemployable, those cast out of the workforce with no recourse, or those who can’t enter it in the first place, such as young workers in times of economic depression.—
Noun
-
Rodents, possums, and skunks show up to snack on the flesh and seeds.—
-
While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites.—
Cite this Entry
“Scum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scum. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share