chiefly British

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grotty The assault took place on the grottiest of vessels, manned by violent criminals who had been banished into deep space. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025 In a stark contrast to its predecessor, the pop star’s EP tracks chronicled the sordid and grotty bits of celebrity. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025 Bloober has translated the past as one might a literary classic, illuminating and modernizing the grottiest game to ever grace the PlayStation 2. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotty
Adjective
  • In early modern Europe, the filthiest trades (such as tanning) were branded nuisances and forced out of cities and closer to those living at society’s margins.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The beat is straight up filthy, as are the lyrics, written from the point of view of a seductress who is simultaneously a literal murderer.
    James Factora, Them, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Its head is outfitted with LED lights that illuminate dark, dusty areas.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • For a piece in this week’s issue, Helfand speaks with all parties involved, and even visits Elvis in his current resting place, amid dusty knickknacks and towering piles of junk in an office behind a mechanic’s garage.
    Hannah Jocelyn, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Palestinian families who had returned to live among the ruins of the devastated neighborhood during the ceasefire once again fled, piling mattresses and belongings on donkey carts and escaping on muddy roads.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Tidy up all those tight spaces—tub seals, sink drains, car vents—or spiff up a pair of muddy sneakers.
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.
    Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
  • There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • These guys are out here sweating, getting their hands dirty.
    Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Not worrying about getting dirty or anything like that.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Interestingly, the feeling of abandonment mirrors the animating force of the nastiest parts of the American manosphere: the belief that men got left behind.
    Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The 30-year-old eked out a split decision win in a battle of women who came in on nasty losing streaks.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Melbourne street race has seen its fencing being painted black, specifically around the starting grid area.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • For some die-hard devotees, the actress’s Colombian heritage disqualified her from playing the fantasy princess, described as having hair as black as ebony and skin as white as snow.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotty. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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