scabbily

A man scabbily refused to help the elderly woman with her groceries.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a shabby or mean manner: "scabbily" describes actions done in a way that is contemptible, stingy, or morally low.
   • In a worn or dilapidated condition: It can also refer to something done in a state of being shabby, ragged, or poorly maintained.

Usage Examples

• In a mean or contemptible way:

  • He treated his employees scabbily, paying them far below minimum wage. (He acted in a stingy and unfair manner toward his workers.)
  • The landlord behaved scabbily by refusing to fix the broken heater in winter. (The landlord acted in a morally low and ungenerous way.)

• In a shabby or worn condition:

  • The old man was dressed scabbily, his coat patched and frayed. (He was wearing clothes that were in a ragged, poorly maintained state.)
  • The hotel room was furnished scabbily, with torn curtains and chipped furniture. (The room was decorated in a dilapidated, unkempt manner.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act scabbily toward someone": to treat someone in an unfair, stingy, or dishonorable way.

  • She felt her colleague had acted scabbily by taking credit for her work. (The colleague behaved in a contemptible, unprincipled manner.)

• "to be dressed scabbily": to wear clothes that are old, torn, or in poor condition.

  • Despite his wealth, he always dressed scabbily, preferring comfort over appearance. (He wore shabby, unkempt clothing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scabby (adj): covered with scabs; also used figuratively to mean mean or contemptible.

  • The dog's scabby skin was a sign of neglect. (Covered with scabs.)
  • That was a scabby trick to play on a friend. (A mean, low act.)

• Scab (n): a crust that forms over a wound; also a contemptible person (slang).

  • He was called a scab for crossing the picket line. (A person who acts in a dishonorable way.)

Synonyms

• Shabbily: in a worn or mean manner.
  • The house was shabbily furnished. (In a dilapidated condition.)
• Meanly: in a stingy, ungenerous way.
  • He meanly refused to share his lunch. (In a miserly, contemptible manner.)
• Contemptibly: in a way that deserves scorn.
  • She contemptibly lied to her parents. (In a despicable, low manner.)

Related Idioms

• Treat someone like dirt: to treat someone very badly or with contempt.
  • The boss treated his assistant like dirt, which is similar to acting scabbily. (To show extreme disrespect.)
• Low blow: an unfair or mean action.
  • Bringing up his past mistakes was a low blow, just like acting scabbily. (A contemptible act.)