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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
Indeed, the trio looked filthy, and one even had a red, watery eye. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 Sharp has long been one of New York’s filthiest comedians. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 July 2025 The latest inclusion into this filthy club joined Tuesday. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025 The Gilded Age, remember, is also the era of Jacob Riis’ landmark photo essay, How the Other Half Lives (1890), which documented children sleeping in deserted buildings, immigrants crammed into filthy dormitories, and alleyways piled with trash. Deborah Williams july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • To authenticate Trump's note and the obscene drawing that accompanied it, Journal reporters claim to have seen the album and talked to people knowledgeable about it.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Inspection reports revealed problems with mold, water leaks, dirty equipment and rooms, meat debris stuck on walls and equipment, various bugs, and, at one point, puddles of blood on the floor.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond discomfort and potential allergic reactions, a dirty mattress can also affect the quality of your sleep itself.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Any other entity, whether at the state, federal, or local level, should be extremely cautious in construing this new law as a ready-to-go template.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • But the box-office failure of Long Shot, his extremely charming 2018 team-up with Charlize Theron, coincided with the business as a whole backing away from the genre.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Spectacular scenery certainly helps, as the story traverses from dusty Andean plains to harrowing mountain roads to capital city La Paz.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Axel Hunnicutt stood by the side of a dusty dirt road in California’s high country rangeland and howled like a wolf.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • That velocity had previously masked a very hittable fastball, and Sasaki’s heater got walloped in the ensuing outings.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The moist air circulated by the air conditioning system in turn had spread it throughout different parts of the hotel, infecting Legionnaires, many of whom were older and particularly susceptible to very bad outcomes.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • However, Boone was incredibly complimentary of Rice’s catching skills on Monday and Tuesday.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Twitch recently banned her, with people citing that cheating on stream is against its TOS, but then early today she was unbanned, making that duration incredibly short.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Whereas the Star Wars sequels woefully misused the actor's talents, this movie puts them center stage, playing one of the teen hoodlums who join forces with their victim to fight off nasty, otherworldly invaders.
    Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Things could be reversed if prompt actions are taken to get vaccination rates back up again before the different nasty microbes can spread too far in the U.S. population.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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