Scruffed means grabbed by the scruff—the loose skin at the back of the neck.
Mother cats scruff their kittens to carry them; humans scruff cats to restrain them: The vet scruffed the cat to give the injection.
By extension, to be scruffed is to be seized and controlled, often with implications of being handled like an animal: Security scruffed him and escorted him out.
1. animal — nape, Back of neck; kitten (Juvenile domestic feline); puppy (Juvenile canine); grab (Seize abruptly); lift · restrain · hold · carry · dominance · immobilize · submission · dangle · grip · gentle
2. disheveled — unkempt, Untidy in appearance; tousled (Disordered, especially hair); rumpled (Crinkled from neglect); messy (Lacking order or neatness); shabby · ragged · bedraggled · sloppy · mussed · worn · neglected · unshaven · rough · untidy
Opposites
MANNER OF HANDLINGscruffed ≠ stroked Touched with gentle motion; caressed · petted · cuddled · cradled · soothed
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENTscruffed ≠ released Set free from confinement; freed · let go · liberated · loosed · set free
grooming/appearance statescruffed ≠ well-groomed Neat and tidy; groomed · polished · sleek · neat · tidy
Phrases
scruffy chic (Intentionally tousled fashion aesthetic)
Family
scruffy, scruff, scruffier, scruffs, scruffiest, scruffing
- Familiarity
- Top 500,000
- Profile
- Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G