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 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 Hundreds of thousands are crammed into squalid tent camps with dwindling food after Israel sealed off the territory from all imports more than a month ago. Isaac Scharf, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 After seeing an investigative report on the squalid conditions at the Willowbrook State School, Lennon and Ono decided to headline the One to One concerts: two benefit shows at Madison Square Garden to support individual (one-to-one) care for the children. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squalid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squalid
Adjective
  • The law specifically spells out heating problems, pest infestations and filthy conditions as among the issues that could require a court’s intervention.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
  • Detectives have criminally charged the owner of nearly 50 Belgian Malinois dogs that were found trapped together in a cramped, filthy Queens apartment, police said Wednesday.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.
    John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
  • Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online.
    David Chiu, People.com, 1 Apr. 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
Adjective
  • The pitiful performance by the Texas Rangers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 divisional round.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
  • But the rates were pitiful: $9.87 for a 13-mile trip, $19.97 for a 25-mile trip and so on.
    Eli Tan, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • So Far The game’s two trailers poke fun at many Florida-isms with insane characters like the dual hammer-wielding woman, a sunburned man watering his lawn in a speedo, and spring breakers and locals partying heavily by posh pools and muddy monster truck rallies.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2025
  • The ports had to invent themselves in the first place, out of muddy marshes and shallows, to become the present-day enterprises doing billions of dollars of business and compete and partner with the massive Asian container ports across the Pacific.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • At the time, some of LeBron’s critics saw this as contemptible.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Civil-liberties organizations have defended neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan on the basis that, unless there is free speech for the most contemptible members of society, there cannot be free speech for all.
    Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 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
Adjective
  • Conrad wraps the conversation by being incredibly disgusting about Bella’s nether regions.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 1 June 2025
  • For the next 200 years, snails only appeared in Parisian cookbooks alongside an apology for including such a disgusting ingredient.
    Garritt C. Van Dyk, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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