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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective nasty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nasty are dirty, filthy, foul, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," 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

When is dirty a more appropriate choice than nasty?

The words dirty and nasty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could filthy be used to replace nasty?

Although the words filthy and nasty have much in common, 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 would foul be a good substitute for nasty?

While in some cases nearly identical to nasty, 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

When might squalid be a better fit than nasty?

In some situations, the words squalid and nasty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 nastiness
Adjective
The Panthers already were without star forward Sam Reinhart after a nasty Game 2 hit by Carolina’s Sebastian Aho. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2025 While deGrom was firing a fastball that averaged 98.4 mph, a nasty slider, a changeup and a curve, the Rangers had their own troubles against a much different pitcher. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 Put aside your worries about fire ants for just a moment, because a less familiar ant with a nasty sting is becoming a problem in the South. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2025 As nasty tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. Seth Borenstein, Twin Cities, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nastiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nastiness
Noun
  • As to the media statements, Cook could not offer adequate proof of one element ― malice ― and so could not make out a prima facie case for defamation as to the media statements.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The actress, however, bore no malice, moving to Europe until her death from a brain tumor in 2011, aged 58.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Martin Kove as John Kreese Martin Kove played John Kreese, Johnny's karate mentor, who encourages his students to play dirty and harass Daniel.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • That lack of presence really doesn’t matter, though, since dirty dojos like Cobra Kai and Demolition don’t accept defeat too easily.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The birds' droppings end up on the ground and windows below, creating an ugly scene for staff, branch patrons and passersby walking in the River Market District.
    Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
  • Compare the first half of Season 15 to Jodie Whittaker’s last outing as the Doctor, and things get uglier.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their boyfriends, meanwhile, suffer the painful indignities of paper cutters, buzzsaws, and other sharp objects.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025
  • Manu diving can hurt The researchers caution that the manu maneuver is not only difficult but can be risky and painful.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Venis’s obscene wealth justifies an unbridled narcissism that reflects our worst fears of tech moguls.
    Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • In December 2014, a jury convicted Magnotta of first-degree murder, committing an indignity to a human body, publishing obscene material and mailing obscene and indecent material.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Enhances visibility and control of network traffic and user activities and detects and blocks malicious activities.
    Mickey Singh, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • The malicious URLs outputted in the response are in clickable form, meaning all a user has to do is click one to be taken to a malicious site.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.
    Dean Kaplan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • This time, there’s still some uneasiness around the organization, mainly rooted in its turbulent recent past.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • After being fired from SNL, Silverman scored a part playing a misunderstood filthy comedy writer on The Larry Sanders Show, Shandling’s classic send-up of the talk-show game.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025
  • Who doesn’t rinse out (and ideally wash) a filthy blender filled with milky stuff?
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nastiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nastiness. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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