sleazy

adjective

slea·​zy ˈslē-zē 

also ˈslā-

sleazier; sleaziest

1

a

: lacking firmness of texture : flimsy

b

: carelessly made of inferior materials : shoddy

2

a

: marked by low character or quality

sleazy tabloids

b

: squalid, dilapidated

sleazy bars

sleazily

ˈslē-zə-lē 

also ˈslā-

adverb

sleaziness

ˈslē-zē-nəs 

also ˈslā-

noun

Synonyms of sleazy

• corrupt
• perverted
• skanky
• slutty

Examples of sleazy in a Sentence

a dancer in a sleazy outfit

a sleazy lothario who is always on the make

Recent Examples on the Web

Jesus is a zhlubby failson, Mary is a flirtatious blonde housewife, Joseph is the horny stepdad who stepped up, and Judas is a sleazy con man. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

This is a bonkers early film from the master of sleazy thrillers, Brian De Palma, and one of the few great movies proudly set on Staten Island. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026

And with facial recognition capabilities on the horizon, there’s a compelling argument to be made for less-than-passive resistance to the sleazy new devices. —Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026

Among the other supporting roles, the most challenging to cast, the team agrees, was that of Euclides, the sleazy police chief. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sleazy

• breezy
• cheesy
• easy
• queasy
• wheezy
• marchese
• speakeasy
• uneasy

Kids Definition

sleazy

adjective

slea·​zy ˈslē-zē 

also ˈslā-

sleazier; sleaziest

1

: not firm in texture : flimsy

2

: made carelessly of poor material : shoddy

sleazily

-zə-lē 

adverb

sleaziness

-zē-nəs 

noun