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Definitions

nasty

[nas-tee] / ˈnæs ti /
ADJECTIVE
disgusting, offensive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awful dirty fierce horrible icky murderous noxious obnoxious ornery outrageous rough tough unpleasant vile vulgar
WEAK
beastly disagreeable filthy foul gross grubby hellish horrid impure loathsome lousy malodorous mephitic nauseating noisome objectionable obscene odious poison polluted raunchy repellent repugnant repulsive revolting sickening soiled squalid stinking unappetizing unclean uncleanly ungodly unholy yucky
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm delightful easy facile gentle good kind mild nice pleasant pleasing polite pure refined sterile tender wonderful
WEAK
aiding assisting clean decent friendly great happy helpful helping magnificent moral safe
ADJECTIVE
indecent, smutty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dirty indecent offensive ribald smutty unseemly vulgar wicked
WEAK
X-rated blue coarse filthy foul gross immodest improper impure indecorous indelicate lascivious lewd licentious obscene pornographic raunchy scatological shameful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent nice
WEAK
agreeable aiding assisting friendly great happy helpful helping kind magnificent pleasant pleasing safe wonderful
ADJECTIVE
bad-tempered, mean
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoying cruel distasteful evil fierce hateful ornery ruthless sarcastic unkind unpleasant vicious vile wicked
WEAK
abusive beastly critical despicable disagreeable down and dirty malevolent malicious malign malignant sordid spiteful squalid
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable compassionate considerate decent friendly gentle giving good kind moral nice pleasant pleasing sympathetic
WEAK
aiding assisting clean great happy helpful helping magnificent safe wonderful
ADJECTIVE
injurious, dangerous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bad damaging noxious painful serious severe ugly
WEAK
critical harmful poisonous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
beneficial easy good helpful pleasant
WEAK
agreeable aiding assisting clean decent friendly great happy helping kind magnificent moral pleasing safe wonderful

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.

And there will be nasty surprises in unexpected places.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

That call-out was nasty and unfair, and the Citadel CEO might not take it lying down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Whatever your path, grief is a time to get gritty, nasty, and as low as you dare go.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

We were all just chilling, vibing, laughing, so she got up, went over to the decks, and started ripping a nasty drum-and-bass set.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

I had such a nasty taste in my mouth it reminded me of the time I had eaten some green persimmons.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Vocabulary lists containing nasty

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 7

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!

The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

More Negative Words to Describe a Person

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!