1
as in corrupt
having loose sexual morals
a sleazy lothario who is always on the make
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheap
of low quality
a sleazy yellow coat that was marked down to practically nothing and not worth even that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flimsy
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
these cheap, sleazy curtains would do a poor job of blocking those wintertime blasts of cold air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
several letters in the sleazy motel's neon "vacancy" sign had burned out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 sleazy
Hint #5: It might also be used to describe a sleazy politician.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
She’s been relying on her righteousness as an anchor during the sleazier parts of her mission.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Over the years, the accessory has been embraced by heartthrobs (George Michael’s famous cross earring, anyone?), but has also simultaneously gotten a bad rap for being a piece mostly worn by sleazy players or bad guys.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
Williams always had the style of a sleazy ’60s nightclub owner, but the minimalism of this production emphasized it in unsettling ways.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sleazy 
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
She’s been relying on her righteousness as an anchor during the sleazier parts of her mission.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Over the years, the accessory has been embraced by heartthrobs (George Michael’s famous cross earring, anyone?), but has also simultaneously gotten a bad rap for being a piece mostly worn by sleazy players or bad guys.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
Williams always had the style of a sleazy ’60s nightclub owner, but the minimalism of this production emphasized it in unsettling ways.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sleazy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleazy
Adjective
-
The essential modern text is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the 2010 Supreme Court decision that equates money with speech, resulting in an ever more corrupt system of campaign finance.David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
-
The cases also highlighted a broken system of police discipline that allegedly protected corrupt officers and punished those who tried to expose the corruption.Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
New England legislators and regulators consistently blocked building additional pipelines from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other regions in the U.S. and Canada, which could bring cheap, onshore natural gas to replace fuel oil.Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
-
The 25-year-old is cheap, still a season away from salary arbitration eligibility, also plays the corner outfield spots, and won’t be a free agent until after the 2028 season.Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The flimsy construction of homes near the epicenter was one reason for the high number of casualties, residents in the area said.Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
-
In yet another flimsy tent, Niveen, who withholds her last name, lives with a son and four daughters – the youngest is 11 – and a grandson.Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Farmers, migrant workers, nomadic groups and residents of remote villages encounter snakes in their dilapidated homes, while sleeping on the floor, using outdoor toilets or walking barefoot.Brian Otieno, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
-
Since then, the concept has taken off in over 30 municipalities across northern and southern Italy, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, as a way to entice buyers to restore dilapidated structures.Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But, even at its most perverted, Shadow of the Erdtree handles motherhood like nuclear energy.Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 5 July 2024
-
Otherwise, things can get dicey, spending all day filming bloodied bodies posed in perverted Biblical poses.William Earl, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
Two women were now the lead anchors on Today, creating a powerful symbolism just as terrible revelations were surfacing about several men in the industry.Eric Deggans, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
-
The Los Angeles wildfires have been a terrible tragedy.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Most frothers make a stiff frothy foam that sits on top of the milk, which isn't great for lattes or cappuccinos.Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
-
No sense in alienating your users by having the AI be frothy, that would diminish the views and potentially put an AI maker out of business.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Lawmakers also met to better understand the difficulties counties face in finding temporary placements for neglected and special needs children.Christina Lengyel | The Center Square contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024
-
In the century that followed, amputation remained a neglected area of medicine.Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near sleazy
Cite this Entry
“Sleazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleazy. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share