I have said that our roof was decidedly Biblical in style; but to make it a dry one, something of a nautical character was added to its architecture, for on either side were scuppers, and it was slightly arched in the centre[.]
Source: wiktionary
Scupper
/ˈskʌp.ɚ/
Synonyms for "scupper" (27 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: ambuscade, ambush, bushwhack, companion, cripple.
- Sentence evidence is available for scupper, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, derived_reverse, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "scupper".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "scupper"
Keep "scupper" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "scupper" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "scupper", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "scupper" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
14 entriesaffectbear onbear upondamagedraindrainpipeharmimpactobstructionpreventiontouchtouch onwaitwaste pipe
More specific
8 entriesbulwark scupperdeck scupperfloodingnegotiation disruptionparapet scupperplan disruptionroof scuppership sinking
Collocations
12 entriesdeck drainagedeck scupperparapet scupperroof drainroof scupperscupper a venturescupper drainscupper hopesscupper negotiationsscupper plansscupper the plansscupper the project
Inflections
3 entriesSample sentences
6 total sentences available.
The bad media coverage scuppered his chances of being elected.
Source: wiktionary
["]The only chance was to get the guns and try a rescue. Of course they may scupper them at once in revenge.["]
Source: wiktionary
This is the face of American exceptionalism[…] threatening to scupper both the court and, failing that, UN peace-keeping operations in Bosnia and anywhere else the US might have forces deployed on such work.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "scupper"?
Closest matches include ambuscade, ambush, bushwhack, companion, cripple.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "scupper"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.