filthy 1 of 2

Definition of filthynext
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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

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 filthy
Adjective
Her jeans are filthy; her blonde hair hangs in loose, greasy strings; bruises speckle her thin arms, and there’s a patch of blood above her right eye. Outside, 10 Mar. 2026 Allegations of betting on suicide Like other detainees, Ramsingh said that between cleanings, the rooms, restrooms and showers were often filthy and infested with insects. Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 After his showers, he was returned, naked and cold, to the filthy, freezing cell. USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026 Like other detainees, Ramsingh said that between cleanings the rooms, restrooms and showers were often filthy and infested with insects. ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • Lauren Elliott, though, was a designer at Broderbund Games, working in a former liquor store beneath a sign that said DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY REDUCTION DEPARTMENT alongside an impish ex-Disney animator named Gene Portwood who often doodled Mickey Mouse in obscene poses.
    Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Using obscene or abusive language Any use of profanity, insults or abusive language is prohibited under the FDCPA.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Investigators described a foul-smelling place with bags and bottles of fetuses and jars of body parts, along with bloodstained furniture and dirty medical instruments.
    Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Flaky salmon, soft and creamy potatoes, and rosy radishes roast on the same baking sheet for a company-worthy dinner that won’t fill the sink with dirty dishes.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The particles that make up these dark nebulae are of a finite size, and that size is extremely good at absorbing visible light.
    Big Think, Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
  • David’s view The voters most keen to talk with political reporters are, typically, extremely engaged in politics.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Doncic claimed Bitadze directed a vulgar comment about Doncic’s family in Serbian toward the Lakers star guard.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • It's typically utilized on things like hinges, locks, gears and machinery, in dusty environments where traditional lubricants would attract debris.
    Ben Coxworth March 27, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2026
  • On this gravelly, dusty, single lane, Bob Markle applied a pursuit trick that wardens learn early.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Bartle may have been right, but for some Chiefs fans and stadium developers with billions of public dollars at stake, that state line probably feels very real.
    Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • One student, in particular, was sent a pornographic deepfake of his upper school classmate on the communications app Discord, apparently in error.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Founded in 2016 by British father and son Guy and Tim Stokely, OnlyFans rose to fame by hosting pornographic material forbidden on most social networks.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Firefighters made a hole with an axe just above the entrance to let the thick black smoke flow out and to avoid breaking the eight stained glass windows along the sides of the structure.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Think soft yellow hues, floral motifs, and colorful stained glass.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

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