Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

The initial reaction looks ugly, but this could be a buying opportunity for investors.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Whenever a building is there, whether it’s beautiful or ugly, it will always have grown into the soul of somebody.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The problem with wars is that when they don’t go as you planned, you have an ugly choice—end them unsatisfactorily or wade in deeper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

“I know I am ugly on the outside, but I am still a good guy,” the man said to passersby.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Death was ugly, I had learned, but life could be even uglier and unfathomably cruel.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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!