NASTY Synonyms: 699 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

nasty

adjective

ˈna-stē

Definition of nasty next

as in dirty

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust fortunately, the story's nasty characters are balanced by some truly good people

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as in ugly

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a nasty horror movie that was so violent that I could hardly watch the opening scenes

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as in painful

causing or feeling bodily pain a nasty cut on my lip

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as in obscene

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society nasty magazines that are not sold to minors

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as in malicious

having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it nasty comments that trolls left on the website

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as in turbulent

marked by wet and windy conditions bring your raincoat, as the weather's supposed to be nasty

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as in filthy

not clean it's incredibly nasty inside that garbage bin, so stay away from there

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as in unpleasant

not giving pleasure to the mind or senses the smell of those old leftovers is downright nasty

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as in unsettling

causing worry or anxiety she had the nasty sense that she'd made a mistake somewhere

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as in foul

not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport a nasty hit got the hockey player suspended

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as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency that was a nasty trick to play on people who were so trusting

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as in difficult

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

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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

Examples of nasty in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Best Softshell Jacket Sitka Jet Stream Jacket $350 at Sitka Renowned in the hunting world for providing reliable protection from nasty conditions, the Jet Stream combines a burly, woven polyester exterior with a Gore Windstopper membrane and a cozy microfleece liner. —

Wes Siler, Outside Online, 31 Oct. 2024 Yes, Carson was a nasty and sometimes violent drunk; Zehme had stopped drinking for the last 20 years of his life. —

Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024 Billie Eilish is giving fans a look at her nasty bruise after hitting her leg hard, not soft. —

Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 Fans who plan to see the game live at Chavez Ravine may already be trying to come up with the best strategy to get to the stadium ahead of the 5 p.m. start time and avoid Los Angeles’ notoriously nasty traffic — not to mention the exorbitant parking rates at the stadium. —

Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nasty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nasty

Adjective

Allison has been coming here for years, usually to get an iced dirty chai.

Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
In a missive explaining his decision, the Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos, explained that the shift was not the product of intimidation, of a conflict of interest, or of a dirty quid pro quo, but of the American public’s catastrophic lack of trust in journalists as a group.

The Editors, National Review, 31 Oct. 2024