1
as in dirty
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
fortunately, the story's nasty characters are balanced by some truly good people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ugly
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a nasty horror movie that was so violent that I could hardly watch the opening scenes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in painful
causing or feeling bodily pain
a nasty cut on my lip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
nasty magazines that are not sold to minors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
nasty comments that trolls left on the website
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
bring your raincoat, as the weather's supposed to be nasty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in filthy
not clean
it's incredibly nasty inside that garbage bin, so stay away from there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
the smell of those old leftovers is downright nasty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in unsettling
causing worry or anxiety
she had the nasty sense that she'd made a mistake somewhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
a nasty hit got the hockey player suspended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
that was a nasty trick to play on people who were so trusting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
given the high-ranking people involved, it will be a nasty job to hammer out a compromise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nasty
These factors would combine for a nasty increase in energy prices.
—
Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
First, Iran could go nasty but narrow, striking back against Israel but avoiding U.S. bases or other regional targets.
—Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 16 June 2025
Some of you seem to think a keyboard and social media give you a free pass to be nasty and accusatory.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
And some erratic vibrations were detected at points last week as the stark outperformance of year-to-date laggards over the top 2025 performers prompted some comparisons to the nasty momentum-stock reversal of February and March that upset the market well before the tariff panic.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nasty
Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
First, Iran could go nasty but narrow, striking back against Israel but avoiding U.S. bases or other regional targets.
—Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 16 June 2025
Some of you seem to think a keyboard and social media give you a free pass to be nasty and accusatory.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
And some erratic vibrations were detected at points last week as the stark outperformance of year-to-date laggards over the top 2025 performers prompted some comparisons to the nasty momentum-stock reversal of February and March that upset the market well before the tariff panic.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nasty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nasty
Adjective
-
Finally, never reuse dirty water as toddlers and pets might accidentally swallow it.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2025
-
To properly load a dishwasher for maximum cleaning power, place dishes in the dishwasher with the dirty side facing the jets, with taller items around the outside.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
The wild and ugly scenes saw rioters attack law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails while others burned vehicles and other property.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
-
The pair hit an ugly double-spinebuster on the Arabic announce table.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Their venom, similar to a bee’s or wasp’s, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin.—
Gareth McGrath,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Once Schaefer’s emotional moment was done, the rest of the conversations ranged from mildly awkward to borderline painful.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
The ex-data processor for the Boston Transportation Department was previously convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of: rape of a child, assault to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a child, disseminating obscene material to a minor, and possession of child pornography.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
24 June 2025
-
But the legal standard for what qualifies as obscene is extremely high.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
-
The first-degree arson charges and malicious damage by explosive charges are connected to the damage to two homes on each side of Barnette’s property.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Reina, Fil-Am team center back, brings us on this turbulent journey, culminating in an intimate trip to her grandmother’s hometown in the Philippines.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
-
Even Zelensky – who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump – came away with wins.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Troubled Factories: The medications came mostly from plants in India where inspectors found contaminated drugs, filthy labs and falsified records.—
Debbie Cenziper,
ProPublica,
17 June 2025
-
The next year, his fame reached a new echelon after the release of Pumping Iron, a docudrama that highlighted Schwarzenegger's strange charisma and filthy sense of humor.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some of these vitamins have quality issues, like a fishy or unpleasant taste.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
-
Diana, for example, when anything unpleasant was said in her presence, would slowly blink her eyes in an incredible act of denial.—
Rosemary Counter,
Time,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nasty. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share