1
as in filthy
not clean
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a sordid affair involving bribery and corruption in high places
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 sordid
The result is a sordid yet realistic portrait of the underbelly of Seoul’s glamorous Gangnam district.
—
Regina Kim, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Russia has never had a James Madison, who pitted ambition against ambition, sordid motives against sordid motives in the U.S. Constitution to arrest tyranny.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024
The former couple settled the following day, only for other accusers with similarly sordid allegations to come forward in the weeks and months that followed.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2024
Also located Downtown, The Mob Museum takes visitors on a wild ride through sordid acts of organized crime in town and worldwide.
—Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sordid 
Regina Kim, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Russia has never had a James Madison, who pitted ambition against ambition, sordid motives against sordid motives in the U.S. Constitution to arrest tyranny.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024
The former couple settled the following day, only for other accusers with similarly sordid allegations to come forward in the weeks and months that followed.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2024
Also located Downtown, The Mob Museum takes visitors on a wild ride through sordid acts of organized crime in town and worldwide.
—Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
-
They were packed in the ships’ holds in filthy conditions reminiscent of their initial arrival in North America, their prospects of freedom largely unchanged by the war.Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Don't let a little plumbing snafu make your dishwasher filthy.Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The dancing on the death of somebody was pretty vile.Miranda Kennedy, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024
-
The hour sits with him as his anxiety builds, causing some to sympathize with him despite his typical vile behavior.EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Small, personal attentions are dotted throughout the stay, such as tucking in a teddy, proactively repairing an earring’s closing mechanism, rejuvenating dusty trainers after a day of exploration, or bringing in canapés the guest visibly enjoyed at dinner as a mid-day snack.Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
-
And some days, its dusty air carries the stench of the polluted Salton Sea eight miles west.Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But this flavor swaps dirty diesel for a clean and quiet electric drivetrain built around a 74-kWh battery pack for more than 90 miles (150 km) of hauling over all kinds of challenging terrain.Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 9 Dec. 2024
-
The dirty secret is that students don't want to take courses in neo-Marxist nonsense.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
At the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, heavy rains—likely influenced by the volcanic disruptions—turned the battlefield into a muddy quagmire, delaying Napoleon's attacks and aiding the Allied forces' eventual victory.Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
-
But in the Northeast and Midwest, that research points to a less concrete loss, of ice fishing and pond skating and dogsledding, and other parts of life that just aren’t as possible in a sopping wet, muddy winter.Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Wireless Humidifier Another Healthy Home Awards winner, this portable humidifier can sit on top of their desk or nightstand to hydrate dry skin (or help a cold feel a little less nasty).Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Threat researchers have confirmed that a nasty new scam that targets macOS users is being actively exploited by hackers looking to get victims to download malware that will attempt to steal passwords from the keychain as well as through the Chrome, Bravo and Vivaldi web browsers manage others.Davey Winder, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
-
There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
-
Regulated sportsbooks find gambling on minors immoral in some respects, but you guys don’t.Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
-
In a 2022 Pew Research Center study, growing numbers of Americans said members of the other party are dishonest, immoral and closed-minded.Rachel Carlson, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near sordid
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share