shabbier

ADJECTIVE

broken-down; in poor shape

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crummy decaying decrepit desolate dilapidated dingy pitiful ramshackle ratty rickety run-down scruffy seedy shoddy squalid tacky tattered threadbare worn

WEAK

bare bedraggled decayed degenerated deteriorated deteriorating disfigured disreputable dog-eared faded frayed gone to seed mangy meager mean miserable moth-eaten neglected poor poverty-stricken ragged ruined ruinous scrubby sleazy slipshod tired worn-out worse for wear wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clean fresh good happy healthy new nice stable unused

WEAK

honorable respectable

ADJECTIVE

despicable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheap shoddy

WEAK

beggarly contemptible despisable dirty disgraceful dishonorable disreputable ignoble ignominious inconsiderate inglorious low low-down mean mercenary miserly rotten scummy selfish shady shameful sordid sorry stingy thoughtless unkind unworthy

Antonyms

WEAK

good honorable nice respectable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A shabbier perspective is integral to any depiction of Jacobs’ work.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

The meeting house grows progressively more dilapidated, and the costumes get shabbier, indicating that things aren’t going well for the Puritans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

He enjoyed a comfortable childhood north of Montana, until the family real estate company faltered in the early ’90s and the Millers eventually relocated to a smaller rental on Santa Monica’s shabbier southern end.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2025

The son doesn’t approach the father at first, but instead sneaks into his apartment, which turns out to be a shabbier, lonelier, even sadder twin of Gu Wentong’s own place.

From New York Times • Mar. 14, 2024

So out came the tarlatan, looking older, limper, and shabbier than ever beside Sallie’s crisp new one.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott