Definitions

ugly

[uhg-lee] / ˈʌg li /

ADJECTIVE

unattractive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

awful grisly grotesque hideous horrid unseemly unsightly

WEAK

animal appalling bad-looking beastly deformed disfigured foul frightful gross hard-featured homely ill-favored loathsome misshapen monstrous not much to look at plain repelling repugnant repulsive revolting unbeautiful uncomely uninviting unlovely unprepossessing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attractive beautiful good-looking gorgeous handsome pretty

STRONG

lovely

ADJECTIVE

unpleasant, disagreeable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dirty disgusting distasteful hideous horrid messy nasty shocking sordid terrible vile

WEAK

base despicable filthy foul frightful ignoble low low-down mean monstrous nauseous noisome objectionable odious offensive pesky repellent repugnant repulsive revolting scandalous servile sickening sorry troublesome troublous vexatious wicked wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable good kind nice pleasant pleasing

WEAK

delicate gentle lovely

ADJECTIVE

dangerous, threatening

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dark evil gloomy nasty ominous rough serious sinister vicious violent

WEAK

angry bellicose black cantankerous crabbed crabby disagreeable dour fell forbidding formidable glum grave grievous major malevolent menacing morose obnoxious pugnacious quarrelsome saturnine scowling spiteful sullen surly treacherous truculent wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

auspicious calm encouraging friendly mild

WEAK

safe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But they were better known throughout neighborhoods as BUDs, or Big Ugly Dishes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Appeared in the December 30, 2025, print edition as 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of 2025'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

All of the trio - plus dozens of others - have been persuaded to get behind the decks at a cult Glasgow club night, Pretty Ugly.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

Ugly crying over “The Notebook” or singing along with “Wicked” might feel great, but it can cause your fellow passengers unnecessary consternation and/or annoyance.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

I also met the real Ugly Betty, America Ferrara, who is very pretty.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai

Vocabulary lists containing ugly

"Growing Together" and "When I Grow Up"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

ugly

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing ugly

"Growing Together" and "When I Grow Up"