nasty

nas·ty

adj \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

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See Synonym Discussion at dirty

Rhymes with NASTY

blastie, pasty, vasty