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Definition of dirtynext
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dirty

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verb

dirty

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adverb

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

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 dirty
Adjective
Raman — in her first run for citywide office — has promised to speed up housing construction, bring back entertainment industry jobs and improve services in a city known for dirty streets, gridlock and homeless encampments that are commonplace in many neighborhoods. Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 So Giles steps up and does the dirty deed by suffocating Ben. ArsTechnica, 7 June 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 See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
Adjective
  • For example, the prescription offered by those who saw a generally healthy way of life as the right way to prevent disease helped propel cleaning up the filthy cities of the Industrial Revolution—and that really did reduce the impact of common fevers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • On the other hand, the cloth seats in many buses are filthy.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Karen Read filed her lawsuit against Canton and the MSP not only to reveal shockingly obscene and racist text messages between key cops investigating her — but also to relitigate the defense theory of conspiracy to frame her.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
  • The Seleção has been knocked out in the quarterfinals in four of the last five tournaments and finished fourth in 2014, which featured an obscene 7-1 drubbing against Germany in the semifinal.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • The discovery is so surprising because even though AGNs are rich with gas and dust — the building blocks of planets — the turbulent conditions within the disks wouldn't generally be considered ideal for forming planets.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 June 2026
  • The weekend’s severe weather follows a turbulent stretch earlier this week, when severe weather placed 13 million people under flood watches and triggered widespread power outages.
    Christine Rapp, NBC news, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Then left fielder Alex Call ran into the retaining wall in foul territory to catch Edgar Quero’s fly ball for the final out of the inning.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • From the early challenge that reversed Wembanyama's foul, to its 3-point shooting, absolutely everything has gone San Antonio's way in Game 4.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Yet thieves have found a nasty workaround.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
  • The nasty spat culminated in April when Shell agreed to resign as president of Paramount Skydance to concentrate on his legal headache.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Analyst Seth Seifman said in a note that the stock still isn’t cheap — with Kratos trading at 76 times forward earnings — but notes that investors have been awarding high-growth companies in this sector with elevated premiums.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 12 June 2026
  • While countries highlighted in a new report of summer’s top travel destinations may not come as a surprise, the data also revealed ways to get there for cheaper.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Beef’s whole thing is finding the weak, corruptible center of all its characters, and Isaac jumps into that project with enthusiasm.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
  • From fragmented records to corruptible datasets and the general noise across social media, agentic systems are facing a trust and truth crisis at the most fundamental level.
    Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Eating their finger-staining orange snacks.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • How To Remove Stains From Marble Most marble countertops are sealed upon installation to help slow the absorption of liquids that can lead to staining.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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