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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
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 The release said they were found in filthy containers and lacked food or water. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025 The track, as yet untitled, rides a drum-and-bass-style breakbeat that could best be described as filthy. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025 The law lists rat infestations and filthy conditions as examples of what would qualify. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • The couple quickly began receiving death threats and obscene phone calls.
    Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Banners or signs may not be commercial in nature or obscene, or cause any disturbance to other fans.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Wearing shoes in the home tracks soil from outside, leaving floors dirtier and requiring more frequent sweeping.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Laptop screens get spattered, smeared, dusty, and dirty from frequent use.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • 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.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Lisa, 28, wore a black maxi dress with cutouts, and paired the look with an extremely rare Hermès Birkin while in South Korea's capital city.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 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
  • Use the floor brush for stairs, the crevice tool for windowsills and couch cushions, and the dusting brush for dusty surfaces.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Poor Ventilation Along with the increase in moisture and humidity, another leading cause for a dusty bathroom is poor ventilation.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • In her latest Jo + Tiny Mic series on Instagram, the Texas native shared four of her favorite secrets to instantly elevate a room, and the principles can be perfectly applied to your fall home decor using Gaines’ very own Magnolia collection at Target.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • In heated hearings over the past week, Republicans released very little information about the map’s impact on specific communities across the Kansas City area.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Being the mother of seven was useful, however, when the court debated in January whether there were workable alternatives to age verification requirements for pornographic websites.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • As of state legislation passed in 2024, creating or distributing non-consensual pornographic deepfakes is a misdemeanor offense in Indiana.
    Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and saturate the stained area.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Hold the stained fabric taut and let the water flow from the back of the shirt to the front, allowing the water to push the stain away from the fabric rather than through it.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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