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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
Created in 2019 by Eastbound & Down's Danny McBride, the filthy HBO comedy centers around a family of corrupt, fast-talking televangelists led by John Goodman's aging and regretful Eli Gemstone. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 May 2025 The new house is now disgustingly filthy and filled with trash and the smell of cat urine. Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025 The common areas of the building have been filthy, too: trash all around the grounds and dirty stairwells. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025 Right-handed reliever Reed Garrett struck out Giménez on four pitches, getting the left-handed hitter to swing over the top of a filthy splitter for the third strike. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for filthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy
Adjective
  • After the man told the boy to get out of the road, the juvenile responded with cursing and an obscene gesture, the report said.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Stop into any local bakery and ask for their specialty, many of which contain obscene amounts of egg yolks.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are just a few of the ways seasoned travelers use a pillowcase on the go: Laundry bag: Keep sweaty clothes or dirty socks separate from the rest of your stuff—no need for plastic grocery bags or hotel laundry sacks.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
  • No filmmaker loves the dirty old town that is New York more than Spike Lee.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 May 2025
Adverb
  • With extremely long battery life, this is a productivity portable that will get you through an entire day on the go, and the keyboard is a pleasure to use.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
  • Continuing with her streak of daring silhouettes, the performer took the stage in a black textured jumpsuit with a completely open back that sat extremely low on her hips.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • In that sense, the vulgar Vader situation creates a touchy dilemma for Epic Games and Disney, which likely invested substantially in this high-profile collaboration.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
  • Amid the attention, the new pontiff's eldest brother has drawn scrutiny for social media posts praising Trump and using inflammatory, vulgar rhetoric toward Democrats and transgender people.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 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
  • Every department, every person in the show, every actor is just bringing it to the very last take to the very last minute.
    EW.com, EW.com, 27 May 2025
  • At the very least, that is something that could change moving forward.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 May 2025
Adverb
  • Booking flights into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport or Fresno Yosemite International Airport can be incredibly costly, and after flying in you still need to navigate multi-hour drives to actually make it to the parks.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2025
  • As incredibly fast as that is, space is incredibly spread out.
    Jarred Roberts, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points), and the Thunder defense was nasty.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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