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.

Uber and California personal injury lawyers are locked in an ugly contest over dueling ballot initiatives while the ride hailing giant faces a big threat from autonomous-vehicle operators.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

Winning ugly was a theme in Scotland's qualification journey.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

"It was an ugly, ugly game," Towns said.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

The price of gasoline rose an ugly 7% and has climbed 40.5% over the last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

He’d been too young to understand how ugly he was.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

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"