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
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 catty
Their relationship, at least the one that comes through their extensive correspondence in the files released by the Justice Department, was chatty and catty, at times warm and affectionate, at other moments transactional.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
In the 2002 comedy, McAdams plays a catty teen who's turned into, yep, Saturday Night Live alum Schneider, via a curse.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
For pro basketball fans who haven’t noticed, City Hall is catty-corner, across South Akard Street, from Memorial Auditorium, built in 1957.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Those unfamiliar with Miss USA — and pageantry in general — may expect that the competition is catty, with contestants vying for the sash and sparkling title.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catty
Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
In the 2002 comedy, McAdams plays a catty teen who's turned into, yep, Saturday Night Live alum Schneider, via a curse.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
For pro basketball fans who haven’t noticed, City Hall is catty-corner, across South Akard Street, from Memorial Auditorium, built in 1957.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Those unfamiliar with Miss USA — and pageantry in general — may expect that the competition is catty, with contestants vying for the sash and sparkling title.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catty
Adjective
-
The teenager was arrested for 12 counts of willful/malicious kill/maim/torture animal -- horse and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000, authorities said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Justice Stanley Reed’s majority opinion emphasized that what had happened to Francis was accidental and that, without malicious intent, there was no violation of the Eighth Amendment.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The immigrant-detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, deep in the Florida Everglades, stands out as a uniquely cruel publicity stunt with an absurdly high price tag, in which much of the money goes into just a few pockets.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
Therefore, a second execution would not violate the prohibition on double jeopardy or on the imposition of cruel punishment.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Her vicious block on Clark with seven minutes left nearly lifted the roof off the place.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Other cast members spoke on rising to new challenges in Season 2, including Paulina Chavez, whose character Ariana Medina survived a vicious assault in the penultimate episode.—
Kai Naima Williams,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
The symbols that were represented are antisemitic and hateful to every person of conscience; this appalling act violated our sense of community and solidarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie said she was disappointed by some of the hateful comments directed at her body and her age.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Flu season may be mostly behind us, but a nasty, highly contagious stomach bug is rising.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Rhaenyra is suddenly dealing with internal criticism, possible rebellions, subjects spray-painting nasty stuff on the walls and self-doubt.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Come for the arch, bitchy humor promised by the title and the director’s general social media brand; stay for the unabashed sweetness of the enterprise; leave with the distinct sense that there’s more to Firstman than his online persona.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
Some Demna-sized—as in, calculatedly oversized—tailoring, and lots of bitchy, bratty handbag holding that made the accessories a focal point of most looks in the collection.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catty. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
