1
as in dustiness
the state or quality of being dirty
the health inspector took the manager to task over the general dirtiness of the restaurant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene
the incontestable dirtiness of the film demands an adult rating
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 dirtiness
For a young team learning to stick up for each other, Mangiapane brings a needed dirtiness to the Hawks.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
When assessing a hat's dirtiness, look for visible stains or sweat marks and treat only those areas with a soft, damp cloth and detergent rather than washing the entire hat.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
However, its effectiveness in thoroughly cleaning depends on the degree of dirtiness.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025
This dirtiness is the crux of the matter for Sherman.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
However, mopping your floors should be focused on cleaning up visible signs of dirtiness, rather than frequency, explains Leiva.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
When assessing a hat's dirtiness, look for visible stains or sweat marks and treat only those areas with a soft, damp cloth and detergent rather than washing the entire hat.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
However, its effectiveness in thoroughly cleaning depends on the degree of dirtiness.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025
This dirtiness is the crux of the matter for Sherman.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
However, mopping your floors should be focused on cleaning up visible signs of dirtiness, rather than frequency, explains Leiva.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirtiness
Noun
-
If an exclamation point only signified gore and grossness, this gothic rock opera would more than qualify.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The characters’ propensity for ugly faces, silliness and a bit of grossness too, stems from the portrayals of girlhood and young womanhood that appeal to them.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An earnest, has-a-costume-for-everything kind of guy, Daub is allergic to the greige and the dinge.—
Sandra Upson,
Wired,
18 Jan. 2021
-
Dinges said the two crewmembers whose sleep remained steady -- even in the absence of conventional daylight -- were those who kept to a strict schedule and found other ways to control their biological clocks.—
Michael Nedelman,
CNN,
1 June 2017
Noun
-
It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Former President Richard Nixon proved himself no slouch in the vulgarity department after reaching the White House in 1969.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By harnessing a particle accelerator to generate extraordinarily bright, coherent X-rays, the team was able to capture high-resolution internal anatomy in seconds, without the lengthy staining or other preprocessing steps often required for soft-tissue contrast in standard lab scanners.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Using chemical imaging techniques, researchers attempted to determine whether the staining was intentional or accidental.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The other funnymen of the time—Milton Berle with his lewd suggestiveness, Jackie Gleason with his baleful roar—did the same shtick over and over.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The term plant texture refers to the fineness or coarseness, roughness or smoothness, heaviness or lightness of a particular plant.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
-
An alkaline compound, baking soda is a non-toxic cleaner with a coarseness that works wonders for scrubbing grime, removing difficult stains, and deodorizing stinky odors.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fennell continues to have a gift for exposing the sordidness of money and power.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Neither Eliot nor Jules suspected anything, and the ease of the deception added to its pleasing sordidness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dirtiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirtiness. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
