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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 filthy
Adjective
Josh O’Connor, at his filthy best, plays a disillusioned ’70s suburban dad married to Alana Haim and vaguely fathering a pair of pathologically chatty sons as the Vietnam War and its attendant protests color the world around them. Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025 Grab a sponge and a bucket, some vinegar, and dish soap, and scrub away that filthy grime. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025 Nothing sends chills down your spine like evil clowns, undead monsters and a filthy car. Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 Or find a less filthy campmate. New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • Banners or signs may not be commercial in nature or obscene, or cause any disturbance to other fans.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Players around the league have been receiving weekly fines for unsportsmanlike conduct, player-safety violations, and obscene gestures.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And the result at the end of the day is a truly grotesque dirty water container, which does feel like a job well done.
    Loz Blain October 14, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Trump is suing his Wall Street Journal for reporting about his dirty doodle to Jeffrey Epstein.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The last six decades or so have been an extremely subtle hint, and the rest of us have cracked the code.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The president has been targeting Jeffries online with offensive and vulgar memes since the pair first had an unsuccessful sit-down meeting in the Oval Office just before the shutdown.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
  • One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.
    Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Just past the cattle-ranching town of Bridgeport in northern California, near the border of Nevada, this deserted mining community is frozen in time along its dusty desert road.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The fan grates in the walk-in cooler were dusty, and the walk-in freezer evaporator lacked part covers.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Elordi treated excited fans to selfies and autographs until the very last second, and del Toro spent much time doing the same to the delight of his fans.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
  • In keeping with that, many clear protein powders available online seem to contain no fats and very few carbs (one to two grams), if any at all.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • OpenAI included numerous guardrails with Sora, including moderation, restrictions on scammy, violent and pornographic material, watermarks and controls over how one's likeness is used.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Some states have instituted requirements for websites with adult or pornographic content to verify visitors' age before granting access, although tech experts have pointed out VPNs can be used to get around those guardrails.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The stained glass traces a hierarchy from the current dean to the Crown and then to God.
    Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Wood stained baseboards may need a gentler cleaning approach, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, to protect the finish.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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