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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
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 Away from a filthy Superdome and Convention Center where they had been holed up for days. Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Alexander pulled out a baby-blue melodica to lay down a filthy ska rhythm for his band. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 1 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, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Workers described incidents of verbal and physical abuse, including reports from women workers who said they had been manhandled and subjected to obscene remarks and threats.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For both areas, Painter hit the transfer portal and landed a dirty-work center in Cluff.
    CJ Moore, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Far from a knightly war, the German advance in 1941-1942 against France was a dirty one, with thieving of private property and menace against civilians.
    Christopher C. Gorham September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Some genres may be extremely violent and gory, so parents may want to consider supervising their children's viewing of films or avoid them altogether.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Grain bins and silos can be extremely deadly if people get trapped inside.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Colorado has condemned a vulgar chant its fans directed at BYU during its football team’s 24-21 loss Saturday at Folsom Field.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Protecting speech for all requires great tolerance for the vulgar, rude, offensive, angry, mean and, yes, even hateful.
    The Detroit News Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On top of the traditional orange and dusty red decor, consider adding violet and navy to the mix this fall.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Baseboards And Molding Baseboards and molding get incredibly dusty from years of neglect.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Monster has debuted into this very fraught political moment where, despite no evidence showing a link between violence and transness, right-wingers have gone to great pains to paint almost every mass shooter who makes front page news as trans in hopes of stripping trans people of their rights.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
  • In early 2024, support for Israel’s war was very high, if lower among Democrats.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Like its more famous cousin from Willendorf, the depicted woman looks less like a person than like a pornographic composite of breasts, hips, and labia.
    Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Jessica Guistolise, Megan Hurley and Molly Kelley talk with CNBC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 11, 2025, about fake pornographic images and videos depicting their faces made by their mutual friend Ben using AI site DeepSwap.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Most of the restaurant's decor is bright Coca Cola red, from stained glass lamps to old-school pinup posters, all with the Coca Cola logo.
    Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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