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 After speaking with the victim, our detectives searched the residence and found that the victim was subjected to live in squalid, filthy decisions alongside numerous animals. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 Migrants in Libya are routinely arbitrarily detained and placed in squalid detention centers where they are subjected to extortion, abuse, rape and killings. Renata Brito, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 Jon, meanwhile, holes up in his squalid quarters surrounded by takeout containers and dirty clothes while hooked onto a cheap-looking VR game that hardly inspires the wonderment in us it’s supposed to in him. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025 With most of Gaza’s population driven into massive, squalid tent camps, Palestinians are desperate to get back to their homes, even though many were destroyed or heavily damaged by Israel’s attacks. Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squalid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squalid
Adjective
  • Or find a less filthy campmate.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Away from a filthy Superdome and Convention Center where they had been holed up for days.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The lingering effects of an incident so vile occurring within Burning man’s sweet bubble are bound to affect people for a long time.
    Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
  • This vile, heartless remark is completely unacceptable—especially from someone entrusted with our children.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With Onum folded into Falcon, logs stop being dusty records and start becoming live intelligence.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • There, water to sustain such a colony may be trapped less than a foot beneath the dusty red surface.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The pitiful screaming of surviving family members can be heard.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • As del Toro sees it, Frankenstein’s pitiful creation has been cursed with life, cannot be killed (even bullets don’t stop him) and must face the same existential crisis that confronts us all.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • All could give Skule problems, which could lead to another muddy offensive showing.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • During our ride through Corbett, the Can-Am had no trouble negotiating sand, water and muddy potholes.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 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
  • The gentle, fragrance-free formula leaves even the dirtiest of clothes spotless.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Ahead of Lipa’s arrival the team was busy setting up trays of extra dirty martinis, her preferred drink.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired.
    Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
  • And yet … those conversations are also entertainingly provocative, and they’re accompanied by some of the scariest and most disgusting scenes the series has delivered up to now.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Squalid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squalid. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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