Synonyms of squalid

squalid

adjective

1

as in filthy

severely lacking in cleanliness

The squalid boarding house was overrun with rats.

Related Words

• filthy
• dusty
• muddy
• dirty
• greasy
• black
• shabby
• insanitary
• unsanitary
• messy
• nasty
• sordid
• dingy
• grimy
• sleazy
• raunchy
• unwashed
• stained
• polluted
• scuzzy
• littered
• grubby
• blackened
• skanky
• soiled
• uncleaned
• unclean
• mucky
• unsterile
• grotty
• begrimed
• grungy
• bedraggled
• sloppy
• unsterilized
• smutty
• smudged
• foul
• uncleanly
• contaminated
• draggled
• sullied
• cruddy
• untidy
• impure
• befouled
• slovenly
• unkempt
• tainted
• besmirched
• gunky
• sooty
• bemired
• defiled
• germy
• messed
• fuliginous
• collied

Dissimilar Words

• clean
• immaculate
• spotless
• unsullied
• unsoiled
• spick-and-span
• unstained
• stainless
• neat
• tidy
• ultraclean
• cleaned
• cleanly
• perfect
• cleansed
• groomed
• bleached
• untouched
• bright
• shiny
• purified
• sparkling
• whitened
• wholesome
• flawless
• unpolluted
• unspotted
• unblemished
• untainted
• virgin
• undefiled
• taintless

2

as in vile

not moral or honest

The whole squalid affair will rightly end the politician's public career.

Related Words

• vile
• pitiful
• contemptible
• disgusting
• hateful
• wretched
• dirty
• nasty
• lame
• sordid
• shabby
• ignoble
• detestable
• deplorable
• dishonorable
• grubby
• pitiable
• execrable
• low-down
• cheap
• loathsome
• despicable
• revolting
• base
• sorry
• abominable
• odious
• scabby
• sneaking
• shameful
• low
• ratty
• abhorrent
• lousy
• paltry
• scummy
• disgraceful
• repulsive
• repugnant
• scurvy
• discreditable
• disreputable
• cruddy
• mean
• condemnable
• ignominious
• reptilian
• reprehensible
• unprincipled
• unscrupulous
• revulsive
• unethical
• censurable
• reproachable
• blamable

Dissimilar Words

• noble
• honorable
• honest
• scrupulous
• upright
• principled
• reputable
• moral
• virtuous
• redoubtable
• good
• ethical
• righteous
• right
• high-minded
• right-minded
• admirable
• laudable
• praiseworthy
• meritorious
• creditable
• commendable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective squalid differ from other similar words?

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

In what contexts can dirty take the place of squalid?

The words dirty and squalid 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 squalid?

While the synonyms filthy and squalid are close in meaning, 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 can foul be used instead of squalid?

In some situations, the words foul and squalid are roughly equivalent. However, 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 does the word nasty relate to other synonyms for squalid?

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of squalid

Neat or squalid, these apartments reflect the compromised lives these men have made for themselves. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Police released chilling images on Facebook showing the squalid conditions the victim had been made to live in. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026

There are still plenty of squalid encampments to be videotaped and featured on ads attacking a potential presidential candidate named Newsom two years hence. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Forty dogs have been rescued after they were found living in squalid hoarding conditions in a La Mesa apartment earlier this week. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025