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dirty

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verb

dirty

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dirty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dirty are filthy, foul, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it or, figuratively, stresses meanness or despicableness.

a dirty littered street
don't ask me to do your dirty work

When is it sensible to use filthy instead of dirty?

The words filthy and dirty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. Figuratively, it can also describe disgusting obscenity.

a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy
filthy street language

When could foul be used to replace dirty?

The meanings of foul and dirty largely overlap; however, foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking; it can also describe, for example, loathsome behavior.

a foul-smelling open sewer
a foul story of lust and greed

How does the word nasty relate to other synonyms for dirty?

Nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness; in practice, however, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. When used figuratively, nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness.

it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat
had a nasty fall
his answer gave her a nasty shock
a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor

Where would squalid be a reasonable alternative to dirty?

While the synonyms squalid and dirty are close in meaning, squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. Distinctively, its figurative use implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness.

squalid slums
engaged in a series of squalid affairs

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
Verb
The voice controls provide a hands-free experience, too, no need to touch the remote with your dirty snack fingers! PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025 Don’s wife Blythe (Jessica Capshaw) also spends her days getting her boots dirty, albeit at the horse stables. Andy Swift, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
And for nights when you can't be bothered to dirty a million dishes just to get dinner on the table, there's an air fryer from Ninja. Sarah Felbin, SELF, 23 May 2025 Crème Brûlée Steve Granitz Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
Adjective
  • On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • For collaborating with British officers while on parole, he was transferred to solitary confinement in a filthy cell.
    Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Banners or signs may not be commercial in nature or obscene, or cause any disturbance to other fans.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Players around the league have been receiving weekly fines for unsportsmanlike conduct, player-safety violations, and obscene gestures.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Nintendo Switch era has been turbulent for the franchise, to put it mildly.
    Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Now, in an increasingly turbulent world, those barriers are going back up.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Other signs to look for are floating debris, rust, mildew, or foul odors.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The second-year coach appeared to be confused after the foul call before exiting the court and heading into the locker room tunnel.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Removing Stains From Wood Cabinets Food, beverages, and dirty hands can leave nasty stains behind, even after cleaning.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The overriding question should be will the Texas line figure out how to protect QB Arch Manning from OU’s nasty front four?
    Matt Hayes, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As the world searches for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, researchers are turning to materials that are safer, cheaper, and easier to source.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Financial sacrifices, dilemmas loom Norfolk military families said the shutdown had heightened the stakes of their financial choices, from comparison-shopping for the cheapest toilet paper to frequenting Costco to buy in bulk.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • From fragmented records to corruptible datasets and the general noise across social media, agentic systems are facing a trust and truth crisis at the most fundamental level.
    Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Iran prefers weak allies over strong ones, and corrupt and corruptible governments over ones that respond to their citizens’ needs.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After washing new jeans, use a damp cloth to remove any lingering dyes that can stain the plastic parts and lid of your washing machine.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Police added that no evidence of postmortem fractures were found on the remains, adding that forensic investigators found soil adherence and staining that suggest the remains may have been in the ground for over five decades.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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