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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
What is more confronting is that the central character is a girl of 13 who has just been forcibly tattooed by a classmate with a dirty hypodermic.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2025
Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
During the Cold War, Washington routinely played dirty to protect the liberal order.
—Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for dirty
Adjective
Drawer Organizers Drawer organizers can get dirty with frequent use but are rarely deep-cleaned.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
What is more confronting is that the central character is a girl of 13 who has just been forcibly tattooed by a classmate with a dirty hypodermic.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Verb
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
Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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
During the Cold War, Washington routinely played dirty to protect the liberal order.
—Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
Adjective
-
At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
-
Created in 2019 by Eastbound & Down's Danny McBride, the filthy HBO comedy centers around a family of corrupt, fast-talking televangelists led by John Goodman's aging and regretful Eli Gemstone.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
After the man told the boy to get out of the road, the juvenile responded with cursing and an obscene gesture, the report said.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
-
Stop into any local bakery and ask for their specialty, many of which contain obscene amounts of egg yolks.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.—
Dean Kaplan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
This time, there’s still some uneasiness around the organization, mainly rooted in its turbulent recent past.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Four pitches into the game, Willy Adames crushed a hanging 1-2 slider for what appeared to be a solo home run, only for the call to be overturned by replay, the ball swerving just left of the foul pole.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
-
Ketel Marte hit a solo home run around the right-field foul pole.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points), and the Thunder defense was nasty.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Once delivered, framing and panel assembly are faster and cheaper than conventional builds—cutting structural build time by 40% and labor costs by 20%.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
All around the city are free and cheap concerts and events that anyone can sit back and enjoy.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Water can stain or fade many silk fabrics, leaving a permanent mark if it isn't taken care of quickly.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
Tuesday’s attack – during which men were singled out and gunned down from close range, according to survivors’ testimony – was the latest in a list of bloody incidents to stain the region.—
Aishwarya S Iyer,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The days of my girlhood were dusty, dirty, sooty, and sweaty.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
13 May 2025
-
Everything from the mortar to the rope has been handmade on the dusty site.—
Rachel Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share