as in filthy
not clean
get rid of that grotty old rag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 grotty
Up until this point, Clive had made peace with frequenting London’s comedy clubs and grotty basements.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026
The grotty tenements of the Lower East Side — and the distinct fashion within — is as much of a character in A24’s drama as the eponymous ping pong player himself.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025
Conners in the just-grotty-enough camp classic Showgirls; or Pamela The Last Showgirl Anderson.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
The show, which chronicled two spiraling roommates in a grotty London flat who invariably do exactly the wrong thing, is not for the faint of heart.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The assault took place on the grottiest of vessels, manned by violent criminals who had been banished into deep space.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
In a stark contrast to its predecessor, the pop star’s EP tracks chronicled the sordid and grotty bits of celebrity.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Bloober has translated the past as one might a literary classic, illuminating and modernizing the grottiest game to ever grace the PlayStation 2.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026
The grotty tenements of the Lower East Side — and the distinct fashion within — is as much of a character in A24’s drama as the eponymous ping pong player himself.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025
Conners in the just-grotty-enough camp classic Showgirls; or Pamela The Last Showgirl Anderson.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
The show, which chronicled two spiraling roommates in a grotty London flat who invariably do exactly the wrong thing, is not for the faint of heart.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The assault took place on the grottiest of vessels, manned by violent criminals who had been banished into deep space.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
In a stark contrast to its predecessor, the pop star’s EP tracks chronicled the sordid and grotty bits of celebrity.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Bloober has translated the past as one might a literary classic, illuminating and modernizing the grottiest game to ever grace the PlayStation 2.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotty
Adjective
-
Inside, filthy soldiers press up against the wood.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
-
Baker said while Fike's immediate surroundings were filthy, a brand-new hospital bed, urinal and wheelchair were available at the home.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Soon, survey crews showed up, bulldozers were spotted along dusty roads, and the Army Corps of Engineers arranged private meetings.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
In the past, artificial greenery may have looked, well, fake—but today’s faux plants are a far cry from their dusty counterparts.—
Kate Donovan,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some patrons arrive in suits, others in stained work shirts.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Spray the stained area with the solution and scrub with a microfiber cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Officers, according to Willis, followed muddy footprints to a nearby residence where McKinney SWAT was able to find Murry and handle a search warrant.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Thanks to the rubber slip-resistant outsole, these loafers provide great stability, especially on icy and muddy ground in winter and spring.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Microwaves seem to get dirty out of nowhere.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
-
But the dirty secret is most of them are awful.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Drain Mats Kitchen sinks may be dirty, but your drain mat is downright nasty.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
But facing the Jaguars after the Chiefs and before the Rams is nasty business.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum wore her hair slicked back in a low bun, dark black eyeliner to bring out her eyes, and a light pink lip.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
Clad in black and concealing their faces, the rioters hurled dangerous flares and pyrotechnics directly onto the playing surface.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotty. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
