as in filthy
not clean
get rid of that grotty old rag
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Recent Examples of grotty
The grotty tenements of the Lower East Side — and the distinct fashion within — is as much of a character in A24’s drama as the eponymous ping pong player himself.
—
Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025
Conners in the just-grotty-enough camp classic Showgirls; or Pamela The Last Showgirl Anderson.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
The show, which chronicled two spiraling roommates in a grotty London flat who invariably do exactly the wrong thing, is not for the faint of heart.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The assault took place on the grottiest of vessels, manned by violent criminals who had been banished into deep space.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
In a stark contrast to its predecessor, the pop star’s EP tracks chronicled the sordid and grotty bits of celebrity.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Bloober has translated the past as one might a literary classic, illuminating and modernizing the grottiest game to ever grace the PlayStation 2.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 Dec. 2025
Conners in the just-grotty-enough camp classic Showgirls; or Pamela The Last Showgirl Anderson.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
The show, which chronicled two spiraling roommates in a grotty London flat who invariably do exactly the wrong thing, is not for the faint of heart.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The assault took place on the grottiest of vessels, manned by violent criminals who had been banished into deep space.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
In a stark contrast to its predecessor, the pop star’s EP tracks chronicled the sordid and grotty bits of celebrity.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Bloober has translated the past as one might a literary classic, illuminating and modernizing the grottiest game to ever grace the PlayStation 2.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotty
Adjective
-
Kilitch Healthcare had serious quality lapses, in which the facility was filthy, employees were barefoot on the manufacturing floor and the company fraudulently passed products that failed sterility tests.—
C. Michael White,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The movie doesn’t make this plot very clear, and is more concerned with the texture of this filthy world.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Robert Pattinson jumped on the dusty-pink trend, strapping on a Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Chronograph Moon with a copper-colored dial for the New York premiere of The Drama.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Across the river in Mexico, men hawk rides in their dusty pick-ups, on horseback or by donkey, to take tourists three-quarters of a mile up a dirt road.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Using a damp microfiber cloth, apply shaving cream to the stained area and scrub.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Featuring special exhibit on stained glass windows in churches throughout Odenton area.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the sweep unfolded, dozens of laborers moved methodically through the forest’s steep and muddy terrain.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Right now, the brand’s running a 30% off deal on its already accessible prices, making this an excellent excuse to upgrade your vehicle for the muddy spring season.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.—
Bob Ehrlich,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Knicks fans have grown accustomed to Hart doing the dirty work throughout the past four postseasons, but this is the first time first-year Knicks head coach Mike Brown has gotten to deploy the do-it-all guard’s versatility in the playoffs.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This was the old Magic — the nasty, physical, suffocating defensive team that made every possession feel like work.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2026
-
From there, the beef between the two couples runs the gamut from faux-gentile to downright nasty.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jackie Tohn looks elegant in a white button-down top and black flowing skirt at the Venice Family Clinic HEART Gala in Culver City, California, on April 18.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In Islam, a man is not allowed to touch a woman, so three women then came towards me dressed in black.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotty. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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