1
as in filthy
not clean
after working in the factory all day, his clothes are very dirty
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
some radio stations refused to play the song because of the dirty lyrics
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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
they were unknowingly sailing into dirty weather
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4
as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
the school is known for the dirty football it plays
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5
as in nasty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
accused the other campaign of playing dirty tricks
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6
as in cheap
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
laying off longtime employees was a dirty way for the company to reduce labor costs and save money
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7
as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery
a movie about a dirty cop paid to protect a mafioso
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as in to stain
to make dirty
she dirtied her new sneakers when she splashed in the puddle
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as in illegally
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dirty
Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
The officer also stated that the floors were extremely dirty and described the playpen where the infant had reportedly been sleeping had no bedding and said that the mattress was extremely dirty and stained, according to court records.
—Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2024
Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
During the Cold War, Washington routinely played dirty to protect the liberal order.
—Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for dirty
Adjective
Always double-check your local regulations before getting your hands dirty.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
The officer also stated that the floors were extremely dirty and described the playpen where the infant had reportedly been sleeping had no bedding and said that the mattress was extremely dirty and stained, according to court records.
—Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
Instead, Walz seems to have little to say about factory farming dirtying the state’s waterways.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2024
Adverb
The campaign gained intensity when photos circulated on the Internet of Ya Ya looking dirty and gaunt (by panda standards) with patchy fur.
—Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
During the Cold War, Washington routinely played dirty to protect the liberal order.
—Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
Adjective
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In early modern Europe, the filthiest trades (such as tanning) were branded nuisances and forced out of cities and closer to those living at society’s margins.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The beat is straight up filthy, as are the lyrics, written from the point of view of a seductress who is simultaneously a literal murderer.—
James Factora,
Them,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Taken by the apparent deterioration of his health, users made those clips go viral and eventually adapted the money spread into a mini-dance trend where users bop to the song before flaunting an obscene amount of cash (or weed baggies or fishing lures!).—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
19 Mar. 2025
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But there are more visible and indecent »Paris Game« leftovers: the enormous/obscene sportsbook ads on display at every other métro station.—
Eduardo Tansley,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Starting a new business is never without risk, but in the last few turbulent years of the pandemic and the ensuing turbulence, the risks have felt that much higher.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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The Rundown Trump's Looming War for a Key Trade Route Will Be Costly As President Donald Trump seeks to assert U.S. influence across the globe by implementing stiff tariffs and threatening to seize the Panama Canal, his first economically motivated hot war looms in the turbulent seas off Yemen.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With 13:33 left in the game, McCaffery grew frustrated by a disparity in foul calls, blew his top and picked up a technical from official Brian Dorsey.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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Davis grabbed the offensive rebound following Burton’s try for the win, and Austin was called for a foul down low.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Interestingly, the feeling of abandonment mirrors the animating force of the nastiest parts of the American manosphere: the belief that men got left behind.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
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The 30-year-old eked out a split decision win in a battle of women who came in on nasty losing streaks.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And a million dollars for a top analyst may be cheap relative to the value of the person’s work.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Being cheap is completely foolish and a lot of people make that mistake.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many shoppers even added DIY elements, such as staining it, incorporating trellises for climbing vines, and casters for easy moving.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Mar. 2025
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Also, ensure there is no debris or dirt stuck to the wheels or base of the machine that could stain the carpet when rolled on it.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Its head is outfitted with LED lights that illuminate dark, dusty areas.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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For a piece in this week’s issue, Helfand speaks with all parties involved, and even visits Elvis in his current resting place, amid dusty knickknacks and towering piles of junk in an office behind a mechanic’s garage.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
The New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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