squalid

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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

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 squalid The suit alleged that Evergreen failed to pay at least $3 million of vulnerable workers’ earned wages, illegally charged rent for squalid housing, and maintained a culture of fear and violence. Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 Harper also got stuck with a paralytic, leading her to collapse to the squalid floor, while the unseen killer scurried away. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 1 Feb. 2025 Workers complained of verbal and physical abuse, bosses threatening to send them back to their home countries and squalid living conditions. Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025 Many January 6 defendants have protested inhumane prison conditions, including physical abuse, retaliation, and deprivation of food and heat, in a squalid D.C. jail from which several hundred were relocated after a U.S. Marshals Service investigation. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squalid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squalid
Adjective
  • The room was filthy, prescription bottles around the room, one bed with no sheets.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
  • Photograph: Chris Null As anyone who’s ever stuck a cotton swab in there knows, your ear canal is a filthy, disgusting place.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • But here’s the hard truth: the First Amendment protects vile, hateful speech, not just popular opinions.
    Bob Shaw, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • The second my status came into question, the vile comments on my worthiness came out, and those comments are telling.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Just think about where your luggage has been; it gets hauled through airports, goes for a ride on a conveyor belt, rolls across dusty parking lots, is stashed into overhead bins, and is often handled by multiple people with no guarantee of clean hands.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
  • He’s worn them outside on dusty furniture, has cat fur all over them ...
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • And at times, in certain places and situations, it was expected and welcome—on a long walk, or when a person confessed something pitiful, or at a funeral or a party.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • But Gilbert is oddly silent on this pitiful bouquet of pick-me behaviors in Girl on Girl.
    Book Marks June 12, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Fucci, who was staying near the Guadalupe River, filmed on her phone a torrent of muddy water flooding the road to her grandmother's house.
    Susan Miller, USA Today, 6 July 2025
  • Navy blue and sage green have become go-to choices but are losing their charm; opt for moody hues like muddy green, rust, or confident forest green instead.
    Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • The death of Pope Francis, sadly, has not escaped the attention of these truly contemptible criminals.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • At the time, some of LeBron’s critics saw this as contemptible.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Finally, never reuse dirty water as toddlers and pets might accidentally swallow it.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
  • The wider sweeps are stressing the capacity of the detention system, where detainees have reported moldy food, dirty towels and no changes of clothes for more than a week at a time.
    Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • First came the disgusting pictures of waters so fouled that they were often compared to rotting guacamole.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
  • Republicans seem to try to outdo each other to see who can be the most hateful and disgusting.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Squalid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squalid. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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