ugly

[ uhg-lee ]

adjective

, ug·li·er, ug·li·est.

1. very unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.

   Synonyms: uncomely, homely, unlovely, unsightly, hard-featured, ill-favored

   Antonyms: beautiful

2. disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable:

   ugly tricks;

   ugly discords.

3. morally revolting:

   ugly crime.

   Synonyms: corrupt, monstrous, vile, heinous, base

4. threatening trouble or danger:

   ugly symptoms.

   Synonyms: ominous, disadvantageous

5. mean; hostile; quarrelsome:

   an ugly mood;

   an ugly frame of mind.

   Synonyms: spiteful, surly

6. (especially of natural phenomena) unpleasant or dangerous:

   ugly weather;

   an ugly sea.

   Synonyms: tempestuous, stormy

ugly

/ ˈʌɡlɪ /

adjective

1. of unpleasant or unsightly appearance
2. repulsive, objectionable, or displeasing in any way

   war is ugly

3. ominous or menacing

   an ugly situation

4. bad-tempered, angry, or sullen

   an ugly mood

Derived Forms

• ˈuglily, adverb
• ˈugliness, noun

Other Words From

• ugli·ly adverb
• ugli·ness noun
• super·ugly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ugly¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English ugly, uglike, from Old Norse uggligr “fearful, dreadful,” equivalent to ugg(r) “fear” + -ligr -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of ugly¹

C13: from Old Norse uggligr dreadful, from ugga fear

Idioms and Phrases

• rear its ugly head

Example Sentences

If they get even halfway toward the kind of mass deportation they talk about, for example, it’s going to be brutal and incredibly ugly — and will cost American taxpayers a lot of money.

From Salon

Are the Rams better than the team that muddled through an ugly Monday night loss to Miami?

From Los Angeles Times

The ugly future can be seen with Trump’s people making threats and promises of no empathy and “rough justice,” statements like “your body, my choice,” threats of imprisonment for political opponents and prosecutors, and his promise that “We’re not messing around this time.”

From Salon

It's no wonder, when you consider that women are more likely to report ugly or even scary experiences while dating, such as harassment or unwanted touching.

From Salon

Handed the struggling Miami Dolphins on a blue-and-gold platter, the Rams fumbled the exchange, dropped the shining opportunity with a loud clang, made a total mess of the joint, and staggered away with a 23-15 loss that was as ugly as the score sounded.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dirty
• disgusting
• distasteful
• hideous
• horrid
• messy
• nasty
• shocking
• sordid
• terrible
• vile