FILTHY Synonyms: 364 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

filthy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfil-thē

Definition of filthy

as in obscene

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society you cannot use such filthy language on the public airwaves

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dirty

not clean you can't go to the concert unless you clean this filthy room first

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

filthy

2 of 2

adverb

as in extremely

to a great degree the invention made him filthy rich

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Cleaning our planet’s filthy ports could one day get a boost from a creature with a very messy nickname. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 The language used in this book is often vile, at times so filthy that the publishers have been compelled to resort to the dash, a device seldom employed in these unsqueamish days. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 A week after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, doctors warn untreated wounds, filthy shelters and scarce supplies are fueling a looming wave of infections that could claim more lives. — Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for filthy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for filthy

Adjective

Climate Pledge Arena prohibits abusive or obscene language and says violators may be ejected.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
These stories were reprinted in Scottish and English botanical texts, and Henrietta would have known about the obscene ideas connected with the mushroom.

— Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026

Definition of obscene

Adjective

Video of the remarkable rescue filmed by Osorio shows the tiny infant in a dusty bodysuit being carefully pulled out of the wreckage.

— Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Others were more barren, with dusty volcanic rocks and jagged cliffs surrounding secluded turquoise coves.

— Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of dusty

Adverb

Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of very

Adjective

The employees also sent pornographic magazines with David Steiner’s name to a neighbor’s home and planned to install a GPS device on the couple’s car.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
In 2014, Andrew Tate began his pornographic webcamming empire, recruiting women by dating and plying them with gifts.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026

Definition of pornographic

Adjective

Cover the stained area with the paste, and rub it in with a sponge.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 July 2026
Victorian mansions that survived great storms and eras of change take up whole blocks, colossal buildings with stained glass windows and towering turrets.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 July 2026

Definition of stained

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“Filthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filthy. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of filthy

adjective

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Synonyms of filthy

adjective

adverb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to filthy

6 Obscure Words for Messes

'Clean,' 'Sanitize,' or 'Disinfect'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on filthy

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Popular in Wordplay

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The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

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Popular

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