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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective nasty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nasty are dirty, filthy, foul, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," 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

When is dirty a more appropriate choice than nasty?

The words dirty and nasty 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 nasty?

Although the words filthy and nasty have much in common, 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 would foul be a good substitute for nasty?

While in some cases nearly identical to nasty, 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

When might squalid be a better fit than nasty?

In some situations, the words squalid and nasty are roughly equivalent. However, 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 nasty Bacteria: Perhaps nastiest of all, though, are the human bacteria likely clinging to your seemingly new clothes. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 12 June 2025 Leave out the nasty heat and sticky humidity with an air conditioner that will work in a tent. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2025 The Jurassic World star detailed her nasty exchange with polarizing Danish director Lars von Trier on the 2005 drama Manderlay in a new interview with British outlet The Times. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 June 2025 With a running start, Tremble lowered his head and delivered a nasty blow to Brisker’s neck. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nasty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nasty
Adjective
  • The effort is big business with organized, managed, paid people doing the dirty work.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Washing Machine Cleaner Your clothes aren’t the only things that get dirty in the laundry room.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • My goodness, these men wanted to win the U.S. Open with every bit of their being, to finally win a major championship and make this ugly, rainy day worth the battles behind them.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • The beautiful game deserves better than to be played against a backdrop of ugly anti-human rights policies.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The film—told through Fox’s home video recordings before and during his time in prison, and original footage—chronicled their family’s life during this painful period.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 16 June 2025
  • In particular, three symptoms—vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and increased urinary tract infections, hot flashes, and sleep quality—often emerge as particularly severe for breast cancer patients.
    Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • The obscene cost of healthcare has pushed manufacturers offshore and kept wages stagnant for decades.
    Ro Khanna, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025
  • In Tacoma, 35 miles to the south, Ted Bundy grew up near the American Smelting and Refining Co., which disgorged obscene levels of lead and arsenic into the air while netting millions for the Guggenheim dynasty before its 1986 closure.
    Hamilton Cain, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025
  • Implement web filtering to restrict access to known malicious websites.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • The capsizing was believed to have been caused by turbulent waters from heavy recent rains.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
  • The spike in geomagnetic activity is driven primarily by a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent region in the solar wind in which fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 June 2025
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
  • There are some cool moments here, but the overall effect is unpleasant.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • People did not bathe much in those days and by spreading herbs that released pleasant aromas when walked upon, unpleasant odors could be disguised.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nasty. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nasty

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