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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
Verb
With all the foot traffic, dropped crumbs, and spilled cups of tea, rugs get dirty fast. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025 If the set gets dirty after sitting through a storm, both seat cushions are machine-washable. Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Adverb
And for nights when you can't be bothered to dirty a million dishes just to get dinner on the table, there's an air fryer from Ninja. Sarah Felbin, SELF, 23 May 2025 Crème Brûlée Steve Granitz Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
Adjective
  • Jackson Lamb has long, greasy hair and a pot belly over which hangs a filthy old trench coat.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Beside one of those blandly obscene bidets.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But the show avoided an FCC probe as the West Coast delay was censored, and the East Coast broadcast aired after the 6am-10pm window during which obscene content is prohibited on broadcast TV and radio.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The emotional breakdown follows a turbulent few months for the artist.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
  • At the other end, his turbulent participation in the 1976 exhibition New York-Downtown-Manhattan SoHo, in Berlin.
    Antonio Sergio Bessa, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Descriptions of the Mogollon Monster vary, but it's generally described as a large, hairy and humanoid figure, standing over 7 feet tall, with a strong, foul odor.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • If your microfiber cloths have a foul odor, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the load.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Twits are so gross and puerile and nasty in the book.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
  • New York, though, has a nasty triumvirate in Carter, Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, the last of whom is having an early career year with seven sacks.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But cattle producers say importing cheaper beef abroad could threaten domestic agriculture in the long run.
    Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Gripen fighters have the reputation of being relatively cheap and easy to maintain and arm, and able to operate in austere conditions – using roads or even dirt roads for runways.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Iran prefers weak allies over strong ones, and corrupt and corruptible governments over ones that respond to their citizens’ needs.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Drone footage shows eight officers approach a motionless Green who appeared slumped over with a large pool of blood staining the driveway.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Foods like coffee, red wine, fruit and vegetable juices, grease and oils, tea, tomato sauce, and spices like turmeric and curry can stain, as well as ink, markers, and some cleaning chemicals.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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