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filthy

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective filthy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of filthy are dirty, foul, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," 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 might dirty be a better fit than filthy?

In some situations, the words dirty and filthy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 would foul be a good substitute for filthy?

The words foul and filthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is nasty related to other words for filthy?

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

In what contexts can squalid take the place of filthy?

The synonyms squalid and filthy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 filthy
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 At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025 So The Righteous Gemstones went with the sentimental ending — or at least what counts for a sentimental ending in a series so committed to the filthiest possible turns of phrase. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
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
  • 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
  • The infant was scheduled to be cremated, according to the release, but the body was accidentally taken to Shreveport with a load of dirty linens.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
Adverb
  • No vaccine is perfect, the experts said, but the risk with the Covid vaccine is extremely small and the problems like a sore arm or a low-grade fever that some of his patients have experienced resolved quickly.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • Stef Stef is extremely mature and grounded in her investigation of the Goon Docks.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The survey examined a minimum of 1,000 comments per team and found less than 1% of posts made by fans of the Dallas Wings contained swear words or vulgar comments.
    Alyssa Cooper, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
  • The program was incredibly close-knit—kids practiced most days of the week, and hung out almost exclusively with their fellow All-Stars, as well as with the vulgar, charismatic teacher who structured their lives.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Flying by the active asteroid could show exactly what processes are creating the dusty tails streaming from the object and might reveal possibilities scientists haven’t even considered, Kareta said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • The dry, dusty air can weaken or block hurricane formation.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Adverb
  • Wilkerson said dental procedures are generally very safe.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • King Charles is very sick, and there are reports that succession plans are already underway.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 7 June 2025
Adverb
  • Huang held on, and did so through incredibly difficult stretches that included him fighting to keep his job.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Digital search features on platforms like Google aggregate from all posts available, so when Fosgate’s tweets first got popular, the biggest and most available information about her was both transphobic and incredibly cruel.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Well, as referenced above, the United States was coming out of a nasty recession tied to the crisis in the mortgage market.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • But many of those story beats feel perfunctory; the film comes to life in the nastier, grislier set pieces.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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