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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
  • 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
  • That lack of presence really doesn’t matter, though, since dirty dojos like Cobra Kai and Demolition don’t accept defeat too easily.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 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
  • As attention shifts to the Senate, where Republicans leaders are hoping to pass a bill by July 4th, some Wall Street analysts are predicting that the markets will force a change of course—a scenario for which there is a very recent precedent.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 26 May 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
  • Green tea in particular is incredibly anti-inflammatory.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 31 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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