requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
given the high-ranking people involved, it will be a nasty job to hammer out a compromise
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
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Recent Examples of nastyThe former first-round pick wide receiver took a nasty fall last week after hauling in a touchdown pass.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Aug. 2026 Coaches don't necessarily need to accuse opposing players of intentionally trying to hurt their athletes every time there's a nasty foul.—
Amber Harding Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
9 Aug. 2026 His central characters can be nasty, disgusting, violent, hysterically cruel, and passionately consumed.—
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
8 Aug. 2026 So a pinch of surprising depth proves to be the most unwieldy move when Roth unveils a resonantly nasty surprise for his story’s endgame.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nasty
As Coca-Cola works to automate dirty soda and refreshers, CNBC's Amelia Lucas takes readers inside the secretive labs where the soda maker is planning its next wave of innovation.
—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Aug. 2026
When younger brother Naz arrives with an unexpected guest in tow, tensions simmer, eventually boiling over into violence as the family’s dirty secrets are revealed.
The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.
—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
21 Aug. 2026
The wrong paint color, outdated furniture, and yes, even an ugly light fixture could be aging your home and (ugh) majorly cramping its style.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Aug. 2026
The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.
—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Aug. 2026
Starks said the obscene gesture was meant as a joke to teammates.
Use strong security software Good security software can help protect you from malicious links, phishing attempts and other online threats that may try to steal your information.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Aug. 2026
Many phones silently join familiar-looking networks without user confirmation, a behavior that attackers exploit through malicious wireless access points that mimic trusted hotspots.
Royal historian Amanda Foreman told PEOPLE in December 2025 that the turbulent few years made Kate and William more connected.
—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
20 Aug. 2026
Palace’s squad always had a spine which included strong personalities or those who knew the club and had experience to guide them through turbulent times and new starts.
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