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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 Both involve Melissa first loitering out over the Caribbean Sea for multiple days this week, churning up seas and bringing nasty weather to islands within the storm’s reach. Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 The writer was asking about secretly recording the daughter’s nasty comments and behavior. R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025 Twelve years since Cushing first donned the role, Destroyed feels like Fisher’s soft reboot of the series, returning to the nasty characterization and invasive domestic tensions of 1957’s The Curse of Frankenstein. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025 With Mike Conley injured and Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker struggling at point guard against the nasty Rockets defense, coach Chris Finch turned to Dillingham, and Dillingham electrified the Wolves. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nasty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nasty
Adjective
  • Leave it on dirty spots for just a minute before rubbing residue away with a soft cloth.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Williams has shown the ability to break some long runs and pick up the dirty yards.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Vanderbilt survived a Hail Mary against Missouri, while Memphis bounced back from its ugly loss to UAB to defeat South Florida and regain its spot as the leading Group of Five playoff contender.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But two familiar problems reared their ugly heads.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The murder scene was so gruesome and painful to process that the community simply burnt the house down.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Fumbling with the plastic nubs can be painful and frustrating.
    Zoe Gates, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Beside one of those blandly obscene bidets.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But the show avoided an FCC probe as the West Coast delay was censored, and the East Coast broadcast aired after the 6am-10pm window during which obscene content is prohibited on broadcast TV and radio.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Police believe the act was done with malicious intent.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The honesty hit home for fans who’ve watched Homa navigate a turbulent stretch.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Whether this week’s series of agreements across Asia marks the start of a broader reset—or a temporary thaw in a turbulent trade landscape—will depend on how these commitments unfold in the months ahead.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Jackson Lamb has long, greasy hair and a pot belly over which hangs a filthy old trench coat.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Considering that Rebecca and Noah’s mom, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh), came off as equally unpleasant, Foster, Konner, and Kaplan kind of had to retool the character.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Despite being so unpleasant, hemorrhoid complications are surprisingly common.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nasty. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nasty

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