as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
a catty remark that served only to hurt their feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catty
The resulting timeline—a chaotic, catty, incendiary voyage into the grievances of the world’s richest man with the president of the United States—should be enshrined as a historical artifact, a front-row seat to the apparent end of an extraordinarily consequential partnership.
—
Brian Barrett, Wired News, 5 June 2025
Eurovision is catty, competitive and eternally controversial.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Edward Berger’s Conclave, adapted from the novel by Robert Harris, showcases the gaudy ritual and ornate displays of Roman Catholicism, while also offering an intimate (albeit imagined) look at the backroom dealings and catty confrontations that go into the election of the supreme pontiff.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
After losing its 34th Street site at 150 West 34th Street to Primark — a prime competitor — Old Navy has signed a lease to open at 50 West 34th Street, on the southeast corner of 34th and Broadway, catty corner to Macy’s.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for catty
Brian Barrett, Wired News, 5 June 2025
Eurovision is catty, competitive and eternally controversial.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Edward Berger’s Conclave, adapted from the novel by Robert Harris, showcases the gaudy ritual and ornate displays of Roman Catholicism, while also offering an intimate (albeit imagined) look at the backroom dealings and catty confrontations that go into the election of the supreme pontiff.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
After losing its 34th Street site at 150 West 34th Street to Primark — a prime competitor — Old Navy has signed a lease to open at 50 West 34th Street, on the southeast corner of 34th and Broadway, catty corner to Macy’s.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for catty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catty
Adjective
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In addition, users will be able to permanently block a user from quote-sharing any of their posts, as a hedge against malicious dunks.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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That means malicious software is getting smarter, faster and harder to detect.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The cruel irony is that the very systems designed to promote inclusion can inadvertently reinforce exclusion.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Once infected, the body demands even more energy to fend off infection, leading to a vicious cycle.—
Michal Ruprecht,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
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Masked country crooner Orville Peck will keep his face covered while playing Vega, the vicious fighter who uses metal claws as one of his weapons.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Political analyst Matthew Dowd took to MSNBC to say that Kirk’s hateful words had led to hateful actions.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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In other words, Cartman is irate that Trump has stolen his hateful, vindictive shtick.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One said bump is a particularly nasty, literal wig-snatching fight between Vida and Chi-Chi.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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In a nutshell, people are easily irritated and inclined to get caught up in nasty power struggles because they’re entrenched in their own views.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The message of the song that will work, Wendy says, isn’t bitchy.—
Allison P. Davis,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
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The musician also flexes his acting muscle in a subtle yet bitchy exchange with Melling’s Colin, in which both of their butts are on display.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catty. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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