1
as in filthy
not clean
after working in the factory all day, his clothes are very dirty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
some radio stations refused to play the song because of the dirty lyrics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
they were unknowingly sailing into dirty weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
the school is known for the dirty football it plays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in nasty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
accused the other campaign of playing dirty tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cheap
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
laying off longtime employees was a dirty way for the company to reduce labor costs and save money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery
a movie about a dirty cop paid to protect a mafioso
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to stain
to make dirty
she dirtied her new sneakers when she splashed in the puddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in illegally
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dirty
Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Sep. 2024
The campaign gained intensity when photos circulated on the Internet of Ya Ya looking dirty and gaunt (by panda standards) with patchy fur.
—Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 June 2025
One assemblage features a broken television set balanced on a dirty rolling chair.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 23 June 2025
Will Porter, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2025
For example, a small non-shedding dog that rarely goes outside won't dirty a bed nearly as fast as a large labarador that plays outside daily.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dirty
Adjective
Sonic Drive-In began offering the option to make its drinks dirty by adding coconut cream and lime for an additional charge.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Sep. 2024
The campaign gained intensity when photos circulated on the Internet of Ya Ya looking dirty and gaunt (by panda standards) with patchy fur.
—Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
Verb
In one clip, a gush of water can be seen rushing through a gaping hole in the ceiling, creating a dirty river in the store's aisles below.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 June 2025
One assemblage features a broken television set balanced on a dirty rolling chair.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 23 June 2025
Adverb
Place them in a shoe bag or wrap them in a plastic bag to keep them from dirtying other items.
—Will Porter, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2025
For example, a small non-shedding dog that rarely goes outside won't dirty a bed nearly as fast as a large labarador that plays outside daily.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
Adjective
-
Troubled Factories: The medications came mostly from plants in India where inspectors found contaminated drugs, filthy labs and falsified records.—
Debbie Cenziper,
ProPublica,
17 June 2025
-
The next year, his fame reached a new echelon after the release of Pumping Iron, a docudrama that highlighted Schwarzenegger's strange charisma and filthy sense of humor.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The ex-data processor for the Boston Transportation Department was previously convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of: rape of a child, assault to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a child, disseminating obscene material to a minor, and possession of child pornography.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
24 June 2025
-
But the legal standard for what qualifies as obscene is extremely high.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Even Zelensky – who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump – came away with wins.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
-
Reina, Fil-Am team center back, brings us on this turbulent journey, culminating in an intimate trip to her grandmother’s hometown in the Philippines.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Astros rookie Jacob Melton with a WILD catch in foul territory 😱 (via @astros)pic.twitter.com/KqrqRlDECr — B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 7, 2025 Otherwise, Melton was off to somewhat slow start to his career prior to the ankle injury.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
For Lynn, playing in the minors meant bad lighting and a short foul pole in right at the late McCoy Stadium that cost him home runs.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps not helping so much: The set’s early reviews, which have been mostly fairly nasty in their dismissals of the set.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
25 June 2025
-
This time, Boyle and Garland have a sharper, nastier provocation in mind.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Bellini noted that hacking operations are much cheaper than bullets, planes or nuclear arms -- what defense analysts call kinetic warfare.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
-
Introductory pricing: Spectrum’s most affordable plan is much cheaper than AT&T's, at$30 a month compared to AT&T’s $55 a month for 100 and 300 Mbps download speeds,respectively.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
But with Victoria’s Secret, Super inherited a beleaguered brand stained by upheaval and scandal.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
-
White signaled cleanliness, leisure and a house filled with staff who could get those pesky grass stains out.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
This record is a gentle correction for listeners who think of blues as either dusty or loud.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2025
-
Workers in overalls walk down dusty streets that turn into dusty tracks before petering out to nowhere.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share