as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
a catty remark that served only to hurt their feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 catty
Edward Berger’s Conclave, adapted from the novel by Robert Harris, showcases the gaudy ritual and ornate displays of Roman Catholicism, while also offering an intimate (albeit imagined) look at the backroom dealings and catty confrontations that go into the election of the supreme pontiff.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Maybe for the first time all day, the comment threads in the comment stream alongside the YouTube livestream was without catty remarks.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
Pouring a truckload of salt in the wound, Olsen exploits the age gap between herself and her former mentor to take shots at Holmes’s practice, along with the work of all of Manhattan’s old-guard plastic surgeons via catty TikToks lambasting their entire approach.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2024
When host Andy Cohen asked the duo about the exit of castmate Garcelle Beauvais, their silence – and then catty answers – drew backlash from fans.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catty
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Maybe for the first time all day, the comment threads in the comment stream alongside the YouTube livestream was without catty remarks.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
Pouring a truckload of salt in the wound, Olsen exploits the age gap between herself and her former mentor to take shots at Holmes’s practice, along with the work of all of Manhattan’s old-guard plastic surgeons via catty TikToks lambasting their entire approach.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2024
When host Andy Cohen asked the duo about the exit of castmate Garcelle Beauvais, their silence – and then catty answers – drew backlash from fans.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catty
Adjective
-
Attacks are now surging across the U.S., targeting citizens with malicious texts, emails and popups.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Because the malicious screen is transparent, there are no visual cues to suggest anything suspicious is happening.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Each of us should demand our local leaders challenge every one of the immoral and cruel state laws and the Gestapo-like raids and inhumane detainments carried out by ICE agents.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
Even critics who considered his policies cruel and racist – and there were many – admitted that behind the bluster there was the charm of a true believer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Over time, this can create a vicious cycle where poor sleep and chronic anxiety feed into each other, creating a loop that damages your well-being.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
There was a scary moment later in the third quarter when Charlotte’s James Banks III hit Sacramento’s Dylan Cardwell with a vicious elbow to the face.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Late in the episode, Cartman calls off his suicide attempt after Butters helps convince him that there’s always hope for a return to the world where Cartman’s hateful trollery will again be a minority voice pushing back against the mainstream.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
24 July 2025
-
His otherwise incomparable legacy will forever be stained by his hateful remarks about Black people.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
For example, wildfires can not only cause direct injury and damage to people and property but can also spew all sorts of nasty stuff into the air.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Morton signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Orioles this past offseason as a starting pitcher who had established himself with 17 years of MLB experience and a nasty curveball.—
Said Bravo,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
The other revivals don’t quite have that grip, though Yellow Face was excellent, and Romeo + Juliet has staged a rather bitchy campaign involving the dictionary definition of revival.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 June 2025
-
Martin is there, and finally Masha arrives, wearing a Traitors hood and a bitchy attitude.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catty. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share