Synonyms of ugly

ugly

adjective

ˈə-glē 

1

as in hideous

unpleasant to look at

her first attempt at painting was pretty ugly—a portrait of her sister that was not at all flattering

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hideous
• grotesque
• unpleasing
• disgusting
• awful
• unattractive
• monstrous
• horrible
• unsightly
• unappealing
• vile
• unlovely
• homely
• unbeautiful
• unpretty
• uncomely
• ill-favored
• sickening
• appalling
• repulsive
• unhandsome
• dreadful
• loathsome
• abominable
• horrid
• revolting
• gross
• repugnant
• repellent
• abhorrent
• nauseating
• plain
• distasteful
• nauseous
• frumpy
• noisome
• unbecoming
• unaesthetic
• unshapely
• frumpish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beautiful
• attractive
• pretty
• handsome
• gorgeous
• lovely
• cute
• aesthetic
• stunning
• good-looking
• fair
• beauteous
• ravishing
• comely
• goodly
• drop-dead
• seemly
• knockout
• fetching
• shapely
• taking
• impressive
• sightly
• bonny
• well-favored
• imposing
• prepossessing

2

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

an ugly suggestion for controlling the overpopulation of deer in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgusting
• awful
• horrible
• hideous
• sickening
• obnoxious
• shocking
• obscene
• dreadful
• offensive
• nasty
• unpleasant
• evil
• gross
• repulsive
• horrid
• loathsome
• terrible
• appalling
• abominable
• gruesome
• odious
• revolting
• horrific
• horrendous
• repugnant
• scandalous
• abhorrent
• distasteful
• noxious
• undesirable
• repellent
• foul
• nauseating
• rancid
• nauseous
• noisome
• disturbing
• vile
• fulsome
• unwanted
• hateful
• monstrous
• miserable
• objectionable
• disagreeable
• grim
• horrifying
• detestable
• contemptible
• unhealthy
• despicable
• sick
• ghastly
• heinous
• brackish
• unwholesome
• atrocious
• unwelcome
• nightmarish
• lousy
• unspeakable
• frightful
• grisly
• sickly
• hard
• unsavory
• uncivilized
• lurid
• exceptionable
• barbarous
• execrable
• macabre
• dislikable
• ungodly
• upsetting
• unholy
• distressing
• sickish
• unchristian
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• attractive
• acceptable
• desirable
• pleasant
• sweet
• nice
• delightful
• delicious
• inoffensive
• alluring
• appealing
• agreeable
• welcome
• enjoyable
• dreamy
• satisfying
• darling
• luscious
• heavenly
• pleasing
• congenial
• likable
• pleasurable
• gratifying
• delectable
• palatable
• blessed
• inviting
• felicitous
• savory
• dulcet
• unobjectionable
• healthy
• unexceptionable
• wholesome
• healthful
• delightsome
• salutary
• salubrious
• restorative

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ugly

Somehow in this series — with Elin’s source material and Bekah’s beautiful writing — every single one of the five women has a fully fleshed character with an arc, with ambition, with their ugly sides. — Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026

Butlers are kicked in the shins and told their children are ugly; a patriarch’s idiotic military decisions are venerated for their spirit; blood spilling out of a servant’s wound is more an issue for the rug. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

The European champions won 56 per cent of their duels and 68 per cent of their aerial battles, dominating France in the uglier side of the game as well as with their on-ball qualities. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 July 2026

The stock had attempted to mount a rally several times after that, but things turned ugly again after those tepid Q1 results. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 July 2026