nasty

nas·ty

adjective \ˈnas-tē\

nas·ti·ernas·ti·est

Definition of NASTY

1

a : disgustingly filthy

b : physically repugnant

2

: indecent, obscene

3

: mean, tawdry

4

a : extremely hazardous or harmful <a nasty undertow>

b : causing severe pain or suffering <a nasty wound> <a nasty fall>

c : sharply unpleasant : disagreeable <nasty weather>

5

a : difficult to understand or deal with <a nasty problem> <a nasty curveball>

b : psychologically unsettling : trying <a nasty fear that she was lost>

6

: lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship <a nasty trick>

— nas·ti·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb

— nas·ti·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

— nasty noun

Examples of NASTY

1. She has a nasty habit of biting her fingernails.
2. The medicine left a nasty taste in my mouth.
3. That nasty old man yelled at me just for stepping on his lawn!
4. He sent a nasty letter to the company.
5. She's got quite a nasty temper.
6. He said lots of downright nasty things about her.
7. She called him a few nasty names and left.

Origin of NASTY

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NASTY

Synonyms

cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, contemptible, paltry, pitiable, pitiful, ratty, scabby, scummy, scurvy, sneaking, sorry, wretched

Antonyms

admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy

Related Words

abhorrent, abominable, condemnable, detestable, execrable, hateful, loathsome, odious; disgusting, reptilian, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, revulsive; discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, shameful; base, ignoble, low, shabby, sordid, squalid, vile; blamable, censurable, reprehensible, reproachable; cowardly, craven, dastardly; unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous

Near Antonyms

high-minded, honest, honorable, noble, principled, redoubtable, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, upright; ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, virtuous

See Synonym Discussion at dirty

Rhymes with NASTY

blastie, pasty, vasty