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Synonyms

straggly

American  
[strag-lee] / ˈstræg li /

adjective

stragglier, straggliest
  1. straggling; rambling.


Etymology

Origin of straggly

First recorded in 1865–70; straggle + -y 1

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.

Two years ago, he turned several straggly islands off Miami into blooming lily pads by surrounding them with hot-pink fabric.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

A white man with grey, straggly hair stroked his bearded chin.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2024

His floor-length fur is straggly and windblown, giving him a disheveled look incongruent with this toy breed’s stereotypical silky-smooth fur and ribbons in their hair.

From Slate • Jul. 15, 2023

Flip this folded dough over so the seam is on the bottom, smooshing in any straggly bits, and sprinkling flour over any naked chunks of butter or otherwise sticky spots.

From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2023

Zola scrambles over the fence and up the hill and peers in through the straggly wire fencing.

From "The Unfinished Angel" by Sharon Creech

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