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squalid

adjective
squal·​id | \ ˈskwä-lÉ™d How to pronounce squalid (audio) \

Definition of squalid

1 : marked by filthiness and degradation from neglect or poverty
2 : sordid
Other Words from squalid Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about squalid

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Other Words from squalid

squalidly adverb
squalidness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for squalid

dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, squalid mean conspicuously unclean or impure. dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it. a dirty littered street filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking. a foul-smelling open sewer nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness. it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat In practice, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. had a nasty fall his answer gave her a nasty shock squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. squalid slums All these terms are also applicable to moral uncleanness or baseness or obscenity. dirty then stresses meanness or despicableness don't ask me to do your dirty work , while filthy and foul describe disgusting obscenity or loathsome behavior filthy street language a foul story of lust and greed , and nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness. a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor Distinctively, squalid implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness. engaged in a series of squalid affairs

Examples of squalid in a Sentence

The family lived in squalid conditions.

Recent Examples on the Web

 View Sample Sign Up Now Today, almost one million Rohingya refugees live in squalid refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh’s southeastern-most tip. — Tun Khin, Time, "It's Been Two Years Since 730,000 Rohingya Were Forced to Flee. There's No End in Sight to the Crisis," 25 Aug. 2019 The Rohingya refugees still live in squalid camps in Bangladesh, and a planned effort Thursday to repatriate an initial large group to Myanmar collapsed when none showed up to be taken back. — Washington Post, "UN report condemns sexual violence by Myanmar military," 22 Aug. 2019 Lawyers who visited that facility in June described squalid conditions. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump administration moves to end limits on detention of migrant children," 21 Aug. 2019 Lawyers who visited that facility in June described squalid conditions. — Fortune, "Trump Administration Moves to End Limits on Child Detention," 21 Aug. 2019 Lawyers who visited in June described squalid conditions. — Amy Taxin, The Denver Post, "Trump moves to end limits on detention of migrant children," 21 Aug. 2019 Hotels felt pressure from their unions — which represent thousands of immigrants — as well as from customers angered by recent scenes of overcrowding and other squalid conditions at detention facilities. — Dee-ann Durbin, chicagotribune.com, "Should hotels house migrants? Groups pressure Marriott, MGM, others not to hold those detained by ICE.," 21 July 2019 During the trial, prosecutors showed images of the dogs living in squalid conditions, with animal waste coating the floors. — Fox News, "Woman whose Great Danes were seized faces sentencing," 11 May 2018 But the squalid conditions in which some tenants live demands some kind of action. — Bill Turque, kansascity, "KC rental housing inspection proposal to go on August ballot | The Kansas City Star," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squalid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of squalid

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for squalid

Latin squalidus rough, dirty, from squalēre to be covered with scales or dirt, from squalus dirty; perhaps akin to Latin squama scale

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More Definitions for squalid

squalid

adjective
How to pronounce squalid (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of squalid

: very dirty and unpleasant
: immoral or dishonest

See the full definition for squalid in the English Language Learners Dictionary

squalid

adjective
squal·​id | \ ˈskwä-lÉ™d How to pronounce squalid (audio) \

Kids Definition of squalid

: filthy or degraded from a lack of care or money They lived in squalid conditions.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squalid

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with squalid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squalid

Spanish Central: Translation of squalid

Nglish: Translation of squalid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of squalid for Arabic Speakers

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