1
as in hideous
unpleasant to look at
her first attempt at painting was pretty ugly—a portrait of her sister that was not at all flattering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
an ugly suggestion for controlling the overpopulation of deer in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
an ugly scar
an ugly scene
an ugly truth
an ugly word
an ugly picture
an unattractive picture
an unlovely picture
an unpleasant picture
an unappealing picture
a hideous picture
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ugly
The shooting also exposed a deep, ugly resentment against private health care companies as social media feeds were flooded with posts celebrating — or at least seeking to justify — Thompson's slaying.
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Tom Winter, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Editor’s Note: Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
Burga Magnetic Power Bank for $100: If you are appalled at the idea of attaching an ugly limpet to your iPhone, consider splashing out for one of Burga’s stylish MagSafe power banks.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
The Miami Dolphins lost another big road game against a quality opponent with Thursday’s ugly 30-17 spanking at Lambeau Field before a national TV audience.
—Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ugly 
Tom Winter, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Editor’s Note: Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
Burga Magnetic Power Bank for $100: If you are appalled at the idea of attaching an ugly limpet to your iPhone, consider splashing out for one of Burga’s stylish MagSafe power banks.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
The Miami Dolphins lost another big road game against a quality opponent with Thursday’s ugly 30-17 spanking at Lambeau Field before a national TV audience.
—Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ugly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ugly
Adjective
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No abstract theory regardless of how sincerely held should impede or distract from that hideous, concrete real-world reality.Caroline Frost, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2024
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The Menendez trials — the first of the two ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury — became such a sensation in part because of the hideous nature of the crime, but also because of who Lyle and Erik were.Jen Chaney, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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That ends up dislodging the disgusting foreign item in Larry's throat.Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
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Leigh goes for the gags in this one, from Broadbent’s workplace pratfall to friend of the family Aubrey’s (Timothy Spall) disgusting new restaurant.Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Other pivotal moments within the film showcase the main characters pushing through moments filled with adversity served on a platter by grotesque figures.Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024
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In the opening sequence, a spiked mask is hammered onto star Barbara Steele’s head, and later, scorpions crawl out of her grotesque, semi-preserved face.Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But even if the company succeeds, internet users have a way of pushing the boundaries of new tools like this until every possible awful output has been demonstrated.Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
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As a unit, the Bengals defense has been awful, only scoring four PPG, which is the 4th least in the NFL.Steve Bradshaw, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 1 Oct. 2019
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His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.SI.com, SI.com, 1 Feb. 2018
Adjective
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Although there is high demand among students for internships and other work opportunities, our education-employer ecosystem is doing a horrible job delivering them.Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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Even as the country seeks to emerge from the legacy of those seven horrible years, however, a new government elected in 2023 has become the first since the fall of the dictatorship to justify the regime’s extrajudicial killings and violent repression.Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While some may view box springs as bulky or unattractive, designs have come a long way.Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2024
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Just as stores stock shelves to present unattractive options alongside attractive ones, farmers could plant certain flower species in or near crop plants to increase visitation to the target crops.Claire Therese Hemingway, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Reviews of the film at the time tended to single out the career-best performance of Jason Patric, primarily because, as the aggro, rape-minded workout buddy to Eckhart’s weak-spined Barry, Patric’s is the showiest and most sickening role.Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024
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The yearling scrambled back up its tree, then let go and fell, landing with a sickening thud.Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Ugly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ugly. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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