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Definitions

dirty work

NOUN
unpleasant or tedious work
Synonyms


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.

The large accounting firms typically rely on junior auditors to do much of the dirty work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

His retirement, though, allows him to do the dirty work and absorb whatever expressions of disappointment from Trump are coming his way.

From Slate • Jan. 12, 2026

Cybersecurity experts are warning that artificial intelligence agents, widely considered the next frontier in the generative AI revolution, could wind up getting hijacked and doing the dirty work for hackers.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

He was more than willing to do the dirty work when required.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

“While you were off having fun, I was doing the dirty work of defending your old faction, eliminating interfaction conflict...”

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth