Synonyms of dirty

dirty 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdər-tē 

1

as in filthy

not clean

after working in the factory all day, his clothes are very dirty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• filthy
• dusty
• muddy
• stained
• blackened
• black
• nasty
• messy
• smudged
• grimy
• greasy
• unclean
• grubby
• dingy
• soiled
• sordid
• mucky
• polluted
• grungy
• smutty
• foul
• sloppy
• begrimed
• bedraggled
• grotty
• chaotic
• uncleanly
• sullied
• draggled
• cruddy
• befouled
• contaminated
• messed
• besmirched
• confused
• littered
• unsanitary
• impure
• bemired
• unwashed
• insanitary
• tainted
• uncleaned
• unsterile
• cluttered
• scruffy
• unkempt
• untidy
• unsterilized
• slovenly
• shabby
• disheveled
• jumbled
• germy
• muddled
• raunchy
• disordered
• rumpled
• squalid
• sleazy
• defiled
• sooty
• gunky
• disarranged
• skanky
• scuzzy
• mussy
• disarrayed
• mussed
• crocked
• collied
• fuliginous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• spotless
• pure
• immaculate
• stainless
• clear
• unsullied
• unsoiled
• unstained
• cleanly
• spick-and-span
• ultraclean
• cleaned
• neat
• limpid
• tidy
• orderly
• cleansed
• groomed
• bleached
• ordered
• shiny
• perfect
• combed
• bright
• untouched
• sparkling
• whitened
• flawless
• purified
• wholesome
• unspotted
• unpolluted
• untainted
• unblemished
• virgin
• undefiled
• taintless

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

• obscene
• vulgar
• pornographic
• filthy
• nasty
• foul
• gross
• blue
• naughty
• crude
• suggestive
• unacceptable
• unpleasant
• disgusting
• offensive
• indecent
• raunchy
• impure
• coarse
• undesirable
• trashy
• obnoxious
• lascivious
• smutty
• bawdy
• lewd
• unwanted
• abusive
• ribald
• locker-room
• profane
• unprintable
• wanton
• gutter
• stag
• infamous
• wicked
• broad
• porny
• soft
• X-rated
• perverted
• salacious
• off
• depraved
• salty
• low
• kinky
• earthy
• scatological
• objectionable
• indelicate
• coarse-grained
• loathsome
• revolting
• racy
• barnyard
• repulsive
• unwelcome
• immodest
• unbecoming
• indecorous
• repugnant
• gamy
• perverse
• risqué
• abhorrent
• distasteful
• repellent
• off-color
• exceptionable
• reprehensible
• louche
• scurrilous
• atrocious
• blameworthy
• censurable
• hard-core
• blamable
• debasing
• soft-core

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• wholesome
• decent
• proper
• correct
• Victorian
• nice
• puritanical
• polite
• prudish
• staid
• prim
• respectable
• acceptable
• innocuous
• pleasant
• desirable
• genteel
• appropriate
• decorous
• suitable
• welcome
• nonobscene
• inoffensive
• meet
• priggish
• becoming
• agreeable
• G-rated
• pure
• pleasing
• perfect
• straitlaced
• seemly
• spotless
• fit
• immaculate
• virginal
• endorsed
• approved
• sanctioned

3

as in turbulent

marked by wet and windy conditions

they were unknowingly sailing into dirty weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turbulent
• bleak
• rough
• rainy
• snowy
• nasty
• raw
• foul
• stormy
• inclement
• tempestuous
• squally
• windblown
• gusty
• windswept
• breezy
• murky
• hazy
• blustery
• cloudy
• misty
• overcast
• blowy
• foggy
• blustering
• soupy
• sunless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clear
• bright
• fair
• sunny
• cloudless
• pleasant
• sunshiny
• unclouded
• peaceful
• calm
• clement
• serene
• placid
• rainless
• balmy
• halcyon

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

• foul
• nasty
• unfair
• illegal
• shabby
• unsportsmanlike
• shameful
• low
• dishonorable
• below the belt
• ignoble
• unscrupulous
• immoral
• rotten
• mean
• unjust
• unethical
• unprincipled
• ungentlemanly
• unrighteous
• unchivalrous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• legal
• fair
• just
• moral
• ethical
• sportsmanly
• sportsmanlike
• righteous
• scrupulous
• principled
• honorable
• law-abiding
• irreproachable
• unimpeachable

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

• nasty
• vile
• immoral
• cruel
• corrupt
• vicious
• sordid
• bad
• low-down
• contemptible
• dishonorable
• detestable
• ignoble
• despicable
• wretched
• mean
• ignominious
• evil
• snide
• base
• execrable
• low
• wicked
• wrong
• foul
• paltry
• low-minded
• currish
• iniquitous
• perverted
• depraved
• miscreant
• debauched
• degenerate
• reprehensible
• dissolute
• shameful
• villainous
• debased
• unscrupulous
• disgraceful
• atrocious
• disreputable
• unprincipled
• unethical
• censurable
• blameworthy
• unworthy
• blamable
• discreditable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• high
• straight
• honorable
• noble
• virtuous
• good
• honest
• lofty
• upright
• ethical
• righteous
• excellent
• just
• venerable
• moral
• right
• scrupulous
• proper
• decent
• principled
• exemplary
• respectable
• commendable
• high-minded
• reputable
• blameless
• guiltless
• incorruptible
• right-minded
• seemly
• irreproachable
• uncorrupted
• unerring

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

• cheap
• lame
• nasty
• pitiful
• wretched
• disgusting
• mean
• hateful
• grubby
• vile
• sorry
• deplorable
• scabby
• contemptible
• despicable
• lousy
• ratty
• sneaking
• scummy
• pitiable
• scurvy
• cruddy
• paltry
• loathsome
• shameful
• abominable
• disgraceful
• odious
• revolting
• detestable
• repulsive
• repugnant
• shabby
• disreputable
• abhorrent
• sordid
• dishonorable
• squalid
• discreditable
• condemnable
• execrable
• ignominious
• ignoble
• reptilian
• craven
• unscrupulous
• base
• reprehensible
• cowardly
• dastardly
• revulsive
• unethical
• unprincipled
• low
• reproachable
• censurable
• blamable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• praiseworthy
• laudable
• meritorious
• commendable
• creditable
• honest
• honorable
• noble
• good
• scrupulous
• upright
• reputable
• principled
• moral
• right
• redoubtable
• virtuous
• ethical
• righteous
• high-minded
• right-minded

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

• corruptible
• corrupt
• crooked
• corrupted
• venal
• mercenary
• purchasable
• bad
• bribable
• dishonest
• vicious
• unscrupulous
• hack
• depraved
• perverted
• unprincipled
• unethical
• sleazy
• degraded
• wicked
• sinful
• warped
• degenerate
• immoral
• debauched
• evil
• unmoral
• cutthroat
• dissolute
• nefarious
• debased
• Machiavellian
• perverse
• temptable
• iniquitous
• demoralized
• dissipated
• defiled
• reprobate
• vitiated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• ethical
• good
• moral
• incorruptible
• virtuous
• righteous
• scrupulous
• upright
• principled

dirty

2 of 3

verb

as in to stain

to make dirty

she dirtied her new sneakers when she splashed in the puddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stain
• muddy
• blacken
• mess
• muck
• soil
• smudge
• grime
• besmirch
• sully
• mire
• smirch
• foul
• daub
• befoul
• pollute
• begrime
• gaum
• contaminate
• distain
• bemire
• taint
• defile
• disarray
• discolor
• jumble
• disarrange
• muddle
• disorder
• confuse
• dishevel
• draggle
• crock
• colly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• cleanse
• purge
• purify
• decontaminate
• wipe
• wash
• sweep
• disinfect
• scrub
• brush
• dust
• sanitize
• rinse
• mop
• launder
• scour
• renew
• brighten
• freshen
• spruce (up)
• straighten (up)
• tidy (up)
• dry-clean
• deodorize

dirty

3 of 3

adverb

as in illegally

Related Words

• illegally
• ignobly
• unethically
• underhandedly
• dishonorably
• immorally

Dissimilar Words

• clean
• fairly
• fair
• legally
• cleanly
• morally
• ethically
• nobly
• honorably
• high-mindedly

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

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

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

Recent Examples of dirty

Adjective

Schilling Elementary School in Newark is packed with young pioneers, willing to get their hands dirty. —Molly McCrea, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Shinery takes your jewelry from dirty and dull to sparkling and shining. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Verb

Keep them in reserve as a sleep sock to ward off icy toes and prevent sweat and skin oils from dirtying your down sleeping bag. —Adam Roy, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025

Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2025

Phrases Containing dirty

• dirty word
• down and dirty