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.

But as a candidate for high-end Austen fan fiction, or a spinoff of the Ugly Duckling variety, she is period-picture-perfect.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

This is “Pretty Ugly: the Story of the Lunachicks.”

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

It samples the signature whistle of the Western classic The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but Ware admits that's where her knowledge of the movie genre ends.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

He also appeared in several popular TV series including Arrested Development, Ugly Betty and Criminal Minds.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Ugly things happened, it was true, but to people who were distant, unknown people—not to someone named Jethro Creighton.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

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"