1
as in filthy
not clean
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sordid
The rumor mill also reports that Jamie Carter is a Lothario whose sordid reputation has kept him from being promoted.
—
Sarah Wendell, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
San Diego has a sordid history of underfunding its pension system.
—Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Ignoring the content of the sordid posts — some of which topped 10 million views each — Portnoy instead took to X and Facebook with a message to Taylor Swift.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Incidentally, this offer came a year before Kennedy embarrassed Hines by being caught in a sordid cheating scandal with political reporter Olivia Nuzzi.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Sarah Wendell, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
San Diego has a sordid history of underfunding its pension system.
—Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Ignoring the content of the sordid posts — some of which topped 10 million views each — Portnoy instead took to X and Facebook with a message to Taylor Swift.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Incidentally, this offer came a year before Kennedy embarrassed Hines by being caught in a sordid cheating scandal with political reporter Olivia Nuzzi.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
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Impacted national park and forest employees say fewer workers will lead to longer lines, filthy bathrooms and unsafe hiking and camping conditions at America's precious public lands.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
24 Feb. 2025
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Between sweat, body oils, dust, dirt, hair, and grime, yoga mats, weights, and treadmills can get pretty filthy.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Feb. 2025
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Kanye was tweeting vile antisemitism nonstop since last week.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Outside the dusty settlement of Bearii, amid an otherwise barren landscape, a green oasis has emerged.—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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The volunteer, Deb Manley, walked into the dusty basin and snapped a photo of the eye-catching plant, then shared it on iNaturalist — a social media platform for sharing pictures of flora and fauna.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The touch screen was desensitized with a filmy layer of grease, the cumulative tapping of many dirty hands.—
Anelise Chen,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2025
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Mining is one of the dirtiest industries, contributing upwards of 5% of global carbon emissions.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Evidence of bygone civilizations has been steadily deposited on the river’s muddy bottom for modern archaeologists to mine.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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Hansen stripped off her knee pads, helmet, elbow pads, cave pack and muddy boots — after finishing her qualifications to lead cave tours at the national monument — and began to cry.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC News,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Poles needs to find difference-makers, nasty offensive linemen, game-wrecking defensive linemen, ravenous pass rushers … again, the Bears have a lot of needs.—
Jon Greenberg,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Stacey woke up with a nasty hangover from the night prior.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Under Taliban rule, morality laws are strictly enforced, and activities considered immoral or against Islamic principles—such as pornography, adultery, or LGBTQ+ content—are harshly punished.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Some view his proposal to take over Gaza as outlandish or immoral, and are no fans of Israel’s right-wing government.—
Katie Glueck,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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