Definition of filthynext
1
2

filthy

2 of 2

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
Few things at airports irritate customers like filthy toilets or water on the restroom floor. Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026 His greatest series let people see a character who has revealed the filthiest, most shameful parts of themselves, and imagine them as a mirror. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026 Also in July, following a tenant’s eviction, the NYPD and ASPCA discovered nine dead cats inside the filthy, unkempt Queens apartment. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 Cleaning our planet’s filthy ports could one day get a boost from a creature with a very messy nickname. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • Banners unfurled at off-campus houses ranged from the profane to the obscene.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Georgia Bulldog logo has showed up for years on hats, shirts and pennants, but the state Board of Regents has decided that the appearance of the familiar canine on toilet seats and obscene posters is going too far.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Cans, water containers, mattresses and crosses - seeming evidence of the home's former Christian occupants — lay scattered across a dirty room.
    Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The lingerers brought their dirty dishes to the bus tub, wiped their mouths one last time with a napkin, and waved to Cleo, their faces saying, Nice job!
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • The romance genre is extremely popular on the publishing side with massive engaged fan bases, and buyers on the film and TV side recognize the potential for that to translate to the screen.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Earthquakes and bradyseisms are very rare; the continents move extremely slowly.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps her daughter-in-law is not vulgar but, rather, simple and spontaneous?
    Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Decide for yourself whether that’s a bold indicator of English football’s superiority over the rest of the world, or a revolting symbol of the bloated and vulgar behemoth that the game has become.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • My brother comes back into the room, his hands muddy and his knees the colour of dusty brick.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Sepideh Moafi Sepideh Moafi turned to Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika for her attire, sporting a dusty gold gown with a bevy of shimmering embellishments all over the bodice and semi-sheer flowing skirt.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Those who arrived in the 1900s had very different cultural, political, and religious backgrounds from the older Texas Jews.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • These salts can withstand very high temperatures before boiling.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The resident is Eugene Horsch, 44, who previously lived there with his late father, pornographic filmmaker and photographer Raymond Horsch.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Parents of students at Sunset Park Elementary School are stunned following the arrest of a former teacher accused of inappropriately touching students and displaying pornographic images.
    Anna McAllister, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • With stained glass, the gray light from outside is filtered through beautiful pieces of glass.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2026
  • How To Deep Clean Stained Wood Baseboards For stained wood baseboards, Matthews advises dusting using a dry microfiber cloth and Murphy’s Oil or a wood cleaning oil (remove excessive dirt and crumbs with a vacuum cleaner first).
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!