filthiness 1 of 3

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filthy

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adjective

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filthy

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective filthy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of filthy are dirty, foul, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," 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 might dirty be a better fit than filthy?

In some situations, the words dirty and filthy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 would foul be a good substitute for filthy?

The words foul and filthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is nasty related to other words for filthy?

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

In what contexts can squalid take the place of filthy?

The synonyms squalid and filthy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 filthiness
Adjective
Alexander pulled out a baby-blue melodica to lay down a filthy ska rhythm for his band. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025 Most of the story happens in the dark, although there is the obligatory daytime travelling shot of the filthy, crumbling streets of Detroit through a car window. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025 While the exterior appears to be filthy, images from inside appear to show a white substance covering the steering wheel, dashboard, center console and other parts of the interior. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025 What is really taking risks in comedy, which isn't just saying the R word or saying something so filthy that people are shocked. H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthiness
Noun
  • Brain rot has become unavoidable, its grossness ubiquitous.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Other users called her obscene names, threatened to show up at her workplace, or sent her a photograph of guns.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The gentle, fragrance-free formula leaves even the dirtiest of clothes spotless.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Ahead of Lipa’s arrival the team was busy setting up trays of extra dirty martinis, her preferred drink.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • This shift would prove extremely successful in bolstering Turning Point’s reputation.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Smart cities are an enticing target for adversaries, ranging from cybercriminals to nation-state actors, since the consequences of a successful hack may be widespread and extremely disruptive to daily life.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Many of the racist, nativist vulgarities spoken out loud in Paul Thomas Anderson’s marvelous new film One Battle After Another evoke sentiments that, in our world, first fomented online.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Scott also wanted that level of vulgarity because the song was inspired by true events.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The book is filled with vulgar pictures, with many faces blacked out, and messages both handwritten and typed from well-wishers for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The biopic is the vulgar but necessary tribute inherently populist cinema pays to more traditional, higher-brow art.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In recent observations, the light from a distant, dusty galaxy called HerS-3 was split into five rather than four images, suggesting something unusual was bending the light in this unexpected way, according to a statement from Rutgers University.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The rich red hue is ideal for fall, but the army green, peacock blue, dusty blue, and dragonfruit colors would also work against an autumnal backdrop.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • If the oil price comes down, very simply, Russia will settle, and the oil price is way down.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • From September to November, the colors of the leaves make a very pretty contrast to the high red rock canyon walls.
    Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthiness. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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