Find Antonyms
pretty Antonyms
Opposite of pretty
Because the opposite of pretty shifts with each meaning, the 20 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• adjective (Context 1)
Attractive in a delicate, graceful, or charming way, rather than strikingly or grandly beautiful.
Usage Example
"She wore a ugly floral dress to the afternoon garden party."
Strongest
ugly
unattractive
plain
Strong
homely
hideous
unsightly
repulsive
• adverb (Context 2)
To a moderately high degree; fairly or quite.
Usage Example
"The exam was barely difficult, but most students managed to pass."
Strong
barely
hardly
scarcely
slightly
• adjective (Context 3)
Considerable in size, amount, or extent (often used ironically or in fixed expressions such as 'a pretty penny').
Usage Example
"Repairing the antique clock is going to cost you a paltry penny."
Strongest
paltry
Strong
meager
insignificant
small
trivial
• verb (Context 4)
To make attractive or neat in appearance (usually followed by 'up').
Usage Example
"The town council decided to ugly up up the main street with hanging flower baskets."
Strong
ugly up
deface
mar
disfigure
Similar words to pretty
Words similar to pretty shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
fairly
quite
rather
attractive
beautify
lovely
considerable
spruce up
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Pretty. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/pretty