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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
The common areas of the building have been filthy, too: trash all around the grounds and dirty stairwells. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025 Right-handed reliever Reed Garrett struck out Giménez on four pitches, getting the left-handed hitter to swing over the top of a filthy splitter for the third strike. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025 Hours later he was confined to a holding cell with two other inmates and a filthy hole in the floor for a toilet. Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025 The clip below from November might be the finest example of the entire trend, an absolutely filthy adaptation of Barnes’ move. John Hollinger, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • After the man told the boy to get out of the road, the juvenile responded with cursing and an obscene gesture, the report said.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Stop into any local bakery and ask for their specialty, many of which contain obscene amounts of egg yolks.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • No filmmaker loves the dirty old town that is New York more than Spike Lee.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 May 2025
  • Airplane tray tables, seatbelt buckles and armrests are known to be among the dirtiest surfaces onboard.
    Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Adverb
  • No league in the United States is more popular than the National Football League, making the schedule release an extremely exciting day for the sports world.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • The economic sanctions cut off Syria from the global financial system and has made economic recovery extremely challenging after 14 years of grinding war.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Climate change vandals spray-painted a Tesla car dealership in Manhattan on Tuesday to protest Elon Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but as police arrived, the activists could be seen cleaning off some of the vulgar writing.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Two of the protesters are facing counts including obstructing a law enforcement officer and simple battery on a law enforcement officer, while a third has been charged with using vulgar language, according to Acworth police.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Those collectibles may well hold signs of past life on that enigmatic, dusty and foreboding world.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 13 May 2025
  • Everything from the mortar to the rope has been handmade on the dusty site.
    Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
Adverb
  • The latest trailer was released on May 14, and it's packed with heroic vibes, jaw-dropping visuals, and what looks like a very annoyed protagonist.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 14 May 2025
  • You’re Obsessed With Learning About The Business Compared to hobbies, which are usually for fun and leisure, business is a very serious undertaking.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Adverb
  • Like its younger sibling, the whiskey has an incredibly broad aroma, encompassing fresh and dried tropical and orchard fruits, nuts, caramel or butterscotch, and vanilla.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • As incredibly fast as that is, space is incredibly spread out.
    Jarred Roberts, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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